The total newly-registered, additional foreign capital and foreign investors’ stake purchase reached US$30.8 billion over the first 11 months of the year, or 93.2% from the same period last year, reported the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency.
As of November 20, 2018, there were 2,714 newly-licensed projects with a total registered capital of US$15.78 billion, equivalent to 79.7% year-on-year. As many as 954 projects registered an additional capital of US$7.4 billion, or 92.6% annually.
During the 11-month period, foreign investors bought stakes worth US$7.6 billion, up 44.4% year-on-year.
As of November 20, up to US$16.5 billion was disbursed in foreign-invested projects, up 3.1% annually from the same period last year.
Exports from the foreign-invested area, including crude oil, hit US$160.3 billion, up 13.4% year-on-year, accounting for nearly 71.7% of total export figures. Meanwhile, exports exclusive of crude oil rose by 14% to US$158.3 billion, making up 70.7%.
Foreign firms invested in 18 fields – mostly in manufacturing and processing with a total capital of US$14.2 billion and accounting for 46.2% of all foreign investment. It was followed by real estate with US$6.5 billion, or 21.3%; and wholesale and retail with US$3.1 billion, equivalent to 10%.
Among the 108 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, Japan ranked first with a combined capital of roughly US$8 billion, accounting for 25.9%. The Republic of Korea was second with US$6.8 billion, or 22.3%; while Singapore ranked third with US$4.1 billion, equivalent to 13.4%.
Foreign firms have already invested in 59 cities and provinces, predominantly in Hanoi with US$6.3 billion, accounting for 20.4%; Ho Chi Minh City, with US$5.6 billion (18.1%); and the northern port city of Hai Phong, with US$2.49 billion (8%).
Finance-banking ranked first in terms of Vietnamese outbound investment with the newly-registered and additional capital of US$105.7 million, or 29.5% of the total. Agro-forestry-fisheries ranked second with US$68.4 million, making up 19.1%; while manufacturing and processing came third with US$50.9 million, or 14.2%.
During the period, Vietnam invested in 35 countries and territories, mostly in Laos with US$97.6 million (27.3%), Australia with US$52.7 million (14.7%), Slovakia with US$35.9 million, followed by Cambodia, Cuba, and Myanmar.
More than a year after the Politburo's Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private sector development came into effect, expectations now extend beyond increasing the number of enterprises. The goal is to build a stronger business community with greater resilience, larger ambitions and the capacity to compete in global supply chains.
Vietnam is expected to remain one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies in 2026, supported by resilient exports, strong investment inflows and an ambitious reform agenda, despite mounting global uncertainties, according to the World Bank’s latest Vietnam Economic Update released on May 15.
Under a new circular, the exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits is conducted on the domestic carbon credit exchange through the carbon trading system, which is interconnected with the national registration system.
As many agricultural businesses continue to face challenges in finding stable outlets, modern retail systems are increasingly becoming key distribution channels helping Vietnamese products access the market more professionally.
For biofuels, particularly E10, to develop successfully, stronger and more coordinated policies are needed, especially pricing mechanisms capable of creating a sufficiently attractive gap between E10 and mineral-based petrol, an expert has said.
A recent PM directive set a May 10 deadline for ministries, agencies and localities to complete detailed allocations of the 2026 public investment capital plan.
A Party official has urged the Vietnamese business community to improve corporate governance, technological capacity, production standards, workforce quality and international connectivity to strengthen ties with the FDI sector.
The White Book provides a comprehensive overview of Vietnam’s current tax system in line with international practices, including direct taxes, indirect taxes and sector-specific levies.
The 12th Africa Forum for Investment & Commerce (AFIC 12) opened in Algiers, the capital of Algeria, on May 9, drawing around 2,000 participants, including officials, economists, businesses, financial and development organizagtions from 43 African countries and international partners, including Vietnam.
According to Dr. Bui Thanh Minh, Deputy Director of the Office of the Private Economic Development Research Board under the Prime Minister’s Advisory Council for Administrative Procedure Reform, Resolution 68 has helped foster a stronger entrepreneurial spirit through a series of concrete policy measures.
Consolidated first-quarter 2025 statements from Vietcombank, VietinBank and BIDV showed that the Treasury’s total deposit balance at the three lenders rose by nearly 39% compared with the end of 2025.
Vietnam targets 1 million one-person businesses, 5 million business entities, 10,000 tech startups, 45 startup support networks, a position among the world’s top 40 innovation ecosystems, and 1.5 billion USD in venture capital by 2030.
The exhibition, which runs until May 9 at the Hanoi International Centre for Exhibition, showcases advanced products and technologies across a range of fields, including pharmaceuticals, drug manufacturing machinery and equipment, medical devices, hospital and clinic services and dental equipment.
The province is tightening maritime governance, with a focus on May–June 2026 to finalise a more robust legal framework and close loopholes for illegal fishing.
Leading the charge in this massive building spree is the new central city square in the core of the Thu Thiem new urban area. Spanning more than 20 ha, it’s the crown jewel of the Central Square and new administrative center complex.
The country’s stable political and economic environment provides a critical foundation for long-term sourcing strategies. At the same time, Vietnam has demonstrated a strong ability to scale up manufacturing, supported by a continuously expanding industrial base capable of meeting both high-volume demand and increasingly complex technical and quality requirements.
The update by Australia’s Department of Agriculture, Fisheries and Forestry to its Biosecurity Import Conditions system (BICON) on April 10, officially setting out import conditions for Vietnamese pomelos, is regarded as a major milestone in market access efforts.
Structured in two steps and three phases, the roadmap envisions a gradual shift from partial to full relocation of international flights, aligned with infrastructure readiness and the long-term ambition of building a regional aviation hub.
The circular economy is no longer just a policy choice. It has become an inevitable trend for delivering sustainable and green growth, sharpening competitiveness at home and abroad, and meeting Vietnam’s net-zero emissions target by 2050. It is now a prerequisite to sustain long-term economic expansion, particularly in industrial production and supporting industries.
Vietnamese fresh produce and processed foods are increasingly recognised for their quality, with items such as cashew nuts, coffee and spices gaining popularity among Middle East consumers. In 2025, Vietnam’s farm produce exports to the UAE exceeded 445 million USD, up nearly 24% year-on-year.