In the first eight months of 2025, Vietnam’s foreign direct investment (FDI) landscape recorded a clear shift as Bac Ninh Province rose to the top nationwide, attracting over USD 4.5 billion in new and adjusted registered capital, surpassing many major industrial hubs.
According to data from the General Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance), from January 1 to August 31, the country licensed 2,534 new FDI projects with a total registered capital of USD 11.03 billion. In addition, many existing projects increased their investment, bringing the total adjusted capital in the first eight months to more than USD 10.6 billion. Foreign capital flows were mainly directed to northern industrial growth centers and the southern production belt.
Bac Ninh stood out as a “bright spot,” attracting more than USD 4.5 billion, including USD 1.47 billion from new projects and USD 3.03 billion from capital adjustments.
High-tech projects, electronic component manufacturing, along with expansion plans by multinational corporations such as Samsung, Canon, and Foxconn, have strengthened its position as the “electronics capital” of northern Vietnam. With its proximity to Hanoi, well-developed industrial infrastructure, and now an added advantage from merging with Bac Giang, Bac Ninh continues to be a focal point for foreign capital.
While Bac Ninh led in total capital, Ho Chi Minh City topped the number of projects with 1,244 new ones—five times that of Bac Ninh. However, its total registered capital (new and adjusted) was only about USD 2 billion, far behind the leading provinces.
This reflects a trend where Ho Chi Minh City remains the top choice for small and medium enterprises in services, trade, and information technology. Its large consumer market and diverse service ecosystem are advantages, but limited industrial land and high investment costs make it less competitive for large-scale manufacturing projects.
Hanoi ranked second in total FDI with USD 3.47 billion, of which 92% came from capital increases, equity contributions, and share purchases. This demonstrates the capital city’s appeal in expanding existing projects, even though the number of new licenses was not overwhelming.
Dong Nai (after merging with Binh Phuoc) ranked third with USD 2.08 billion, reaffirming its role as a major southern industrial hub thanks to well-planned industrial infrastructure, proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, and large seaports.
Meanwhile, Hai Phong (merged with Hai Duong) recorded USD 1.61 billion, maintaining its status as a strategic northern industrial and port center. The port city continues to attract many export projects and expansion capital from international investors.
The highlight of the top 10 was the rise of less-mentioned localities. Ninh Binh (after merging with Ha Nam) surprised with USD 1.49 billion, surpassing many large industrial provinces.
Hung Yen (merged with Thai Binh) recorded USD 1.25 billion, benefiting from its strategic location in the northern key economic region.
In the south, Tay Ninh (merged with Long An) made its mark by attracting USD 1.21 billion with 146 new projects. Notably, Gia Lai (merged with Binh Dinh) joined the top 10 with USD 1.09 billion, showing how foreign capital is strongly spreading to the Central Highlands.
Closing the top 10 was Thanh Hoa with USD 441 million. Although still far behind the leaders, the province maintained its appeal as a bright spot in the North Central region.
The FDI picture for the first eight months shows clear differentiation: traditional industrial centers like Bac Ninh, Hanoi, and Dong Nai continue to dominate, while emerging provinces such as Ninh Binh, Tay Ninh, and Gia Lai are accelerating.
This trend reflects the strategic shift of foreign capital from major urban centers to localities with abundant land, improving infrastructure, and more competitive costs.
Source: Bac Ninh Newspaper
