Although global foreign direct investment (FDI) flows are entering an adjustment phase—narrowing down and prioritizing quality—Vietnam still holds opportunities in the regional wave of manufacturing relocation. This is why over the past 10 months, newly registered FDI into Vietnam has exceeded USD 31.5 billion.
FDI Accelerates, Affirming Vietnam’s Position as an Attractive Destination
A series of FDI projects were newly licensed or expanded in October 2025. These include the Chau Hai River Port Wharf Investment Project of Infra Asia Investment Co., Ltd. (Hong Kong), with total registered capital of USD 149.5 million in Quang Ninh; the Electronic Camera Circuit Board Manufacturing Project of Saigon STEC Co., Ltd. (Japan), which increased its capital by USD 150 million to reach USD 450 million in Ho Chi Minh City; and the Restaurant and Mobile Food Services Business Project of Oryz Boutique Co., Ltd. (Malaysia), implemented through capital contribution and share purchase, with a total capital contribution of USD 200 million in Ho Chi Minh City…
Although there were no billion-dollar projects, these large-scale investments significantly contributed to lifting newly registered foreign investment in the first 10 months of 2025 to USD 31.5 billion, up 15.6% year-on-year. Not only did registered capital rise, but disbursed capital also reached a five-year high of USD 21.3 billion, an increase of 8.8%.
“These figures show that Vietnam remains an attractive destination for foreign investors. Investors continue to place confidence in Vietnam’s growth outlook, investment environment, and economic position,” said Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang when announcing the data at the 2025 Vietnam Business Forum (VBF).
This reality has long been affirmed and was repeatedly emphasized by investors at VBF. Mr. Bruno Jaspaer, Chairman of the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham), even referred to Vietnam as a story of transformation—from an agricultural economy known for its rice and morning coffee, into a regional hub for manufacturing, technology, and innovation.
A report by the Foreign Investment Agency (Ministry of Finance) highlights that manufacturing and processing remains the sector attracting the largest FDI. In 10 months, investment into this sector reached USD 18.2 billion, accounting for more than 57.8% of total registered FDI, up 6.8% year-on-year. Beyond the volume, the quality of FDI is also rising, with more projects in electronics, AI, and semiconductors flowing into Vietnam.
Ms. Le Thi Hai Van, Investment Promotion Representative in Washington D.C. (USA), recently cited investments from Intel, Amkor, NVIDIA, Meta, and Google to demonstrate this trend at a seminar on Vietnam’s FDI attraction. “FDI into Vietnam is shifting from quantity to quality. U.S. corporations investing in Vietnam are prioritizing strategic sectors such as semiconductors, AI, clean energy, economic infrastructure, and healthcare,” she said.
FDI Disbursement in the First 10 Months Reaches a Five-Year High
Total foreign investment registered in Vietnam as of October 31, 2025 (including newly registered capital, adjusted capital, and the value of capital contributions and share purchases by foreign investors) reached USD 31.52 billion, up 15.6% year-on-year.
Newly registered capital accounted for the largest share, with 3,321 newly licensed projects and total capital of USD 14.07 billion, up 21.1% in project count—but down 7.6% in capital value compared to last year.
Among newly licensed sectors, manufacturing and processing attracted the most foreign investment, with USD 7.97 billion—representing 56.7% of total newly registered capital; real estate businesses attracted USD 2.75 billion (19.5%); and the remaining sectors accounted for USD 3.35 billion (23.8%).
Among the 87 countries and territories with newly licensed projects in Vietnam over the past 10 months, Singapore was the largest investor with USD 3.76 billion (26.7% of total newly registered capital); followed by China with USD 3.21 billion (22.8%); and Hong Kong (China) with USD 1.38 billion (9.8%); Japan with USD 1.17 billion (8.3%); Sweden with USD 1.0 billion (7.1%); Taiwan (China) with USD 901.2 million (6.4%); and South Korea with USD 627.0 million (4.5%).
For adjusted investment capital, 1,206 existing licensed projects registered capital increases totaling USD 12.11 billion—up 45.0% year-on-year.
According to the General Statistics Office, taking both newly registered capital and adjusted capital of previously licensed projects into account, foreign investment in the manufacturing and processing sector reached USD 16.37 billion (62.5% of total new and additional capital); real estate businesses attracted USD 5.32 billion (20.3%); and the remaining sectors accounted for USD 4.49 billion (17.2%).
Source: Báo Đầu Tư, Báo Chính Phủ
