Vietnam prioritizes high-quality FDI

Foreign direct investment (FDI) continued to be a bright spot in 2025. According to a report by the Ministry of Finance, total FDI inflows into Vietnam in 2025 reached USD 38.42 billion, up 0.5% from 2024. 

Notably, disbursed FDI for the full year was estimated at USD 27.62 billion—an increase of 9% year on year—marking the highest level recorded during the 2021–2025 period.

Phu Tho aims to attract more than USD 1.1 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in 2026. In the photo: Workers at an FDI enterprise in Phu Tho Province. Photo: Minh Dung

According to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance, FDI inflows in 2025 were concentrated in 31 provinces and cities. 

Ho Chi Minh City continued to be a highly attractive destination for foreign investors, drawing in more than USD 7 billion in FDI, up 5.8% from the previous year. Bac Ninh province ranked second with nearly USD 5.7 billion, while Hanoi placed third with over USD 4.4 billion. Other localities posting strong FDI performance included Dong Nai, Tay Ninh, and Hai Phong.

By partner, in 2025 investors from 113 countries and territories invested in Vietnam. Singapore ranked first with more than USD 9.39 billion, accounting for 24.45% of total registered capital. 

China came second with nearly USD 5.7 billion, equivalent to 14.8%, up 20.4% from the previous year. The following positions were held by South Korea, Japan, and others.

According to Nguyen Thi Huong, Director General of the General Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance, FDI inflows into Vietnam over the past year took place amid continued global economic uncertainty, including slowing growth, rising trade protectionism, and the restructuring of supply chains in the post–COVID-19 period. 

Nevertheless, Vietnam has maintained a high level of FDI inflows, underscoring its increasingly prominent position in regional production and investment networks.

With total registered FDI reaching approximately USD 38.42 billion, Huong said the result reflects international investors’ confidence in Vietnam’s business environment, socio-political stability, and its medium- and long-term growth prospects.

According to Resolution No. 01 on socio-economic development and the state budget estimates for 2026, the Government has instructed relevant ministries and agencies to develop effective mechanisms to selectively attract FDI, closely linked with technology transfer, learning, and absorption, thereby strengthening domestic technological capabilities.

Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang emphasized that in 2026 and the years ahead, Vietnam will focus on selectively attracting FDI, prioritizing large-scale projects that deploy high technology and are environmentally friendly.

Vietnam will also implement measures to strengthen linkages between domestic enterprises and FDI firms, enabling them to participate more deeply in global value chains and supply chains.