FDI INFLOWS IN FIRST FOUR MONTHS SOAR NEARLY 40 PER CENT

Vietnam reported $13.82 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first four months of the year, an on-year increase of 39.9 per cent, according to data from the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Finance.

FDI inflows in the first four months in 2021-2025

In the first four months of 2025, 1,204 new projects were granted investment registration certificates, with total registered capital of $5.59 billion, up 14.1 per cent in the number of projects but down 23.8 per cent on-year in terms of capital.

The adjusted capital for 540 ongoing projects hit over $6.4 billion, up almost 44.4 per cent on-year in number, and 3.9-fold in capital. There were 1,106 capital contributions and share purchases valued at almost $1.83 billion, up 8.3 per cent and 2.1-fold, respectively.

Additionally, disbursed FDI reached about $6.74 billion, up 7.3 per cent on-year.

Foreign groups invested in 18 out of the 21 economic sectors in the first four months of the year. Among them, the manufacturing and processing industry took the lead with over $8.9 billion, accounting for 64.6 per cent of the total, and a 35.1 per cent increase from a year ago.

Real estate followed with over $2.83 billion, capturing 20.5 per cent of the total and up 61.9 per cent on-year. This was followed by professional, science, and technology, and accommodation and catering services, with $611 million and nearly $352 million, respectively.

Among 81 countries and territories investing in Vietnam during the period, Singapore was the largest foreign investor, with more than $3.2 billion, or 23.5 per cent of the total, up 10 per cent on-year. South Korea ranked second with nearly $2.8 billion, accounting for 20.4 per cent and up 3.3-fold on-year. It was followed by China, Japan, and Hong Kong.

In terms of project numbers, China ranked first for newly registered projects (accounting for 28.7 per cent), South Korea led for adjusted-capital projects (making up 18 per cent), and capital contributions and share purchases (26.4 per cent).

FDI continued to flow into the attractive localities like Bac Ninh ($2.69 billion), Dong Nai ($1.52 billion), Ho Chi Minh City ($1.48 billion), and Hanoi, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Ha Nam.

In terms of project numbers, Ho Chi Minh City ranked first for newly registered projects (making up 39.5 per cent), adjusted-registered projects (21.9 per cent), and capital contributions and share purchases (66.9 per cent).

Exports from the foreign investment sector reached $45.8 billion (including crude oil), or $45.5 billion (excluding crude oil), up 5.5 per cent on-year, and equivalent to more than 71 per cent of total export turnover.

Imports for the sector were estimated at $84.9 billion, up 16.6 per cent on-year, and covering 62.9 per cent of the total. The trade surplus of foreign-invested enterprises was almost $15.4 billion (including crude oil) or $14.9 billion (excluding crude oil), while the deficit of local businesses was $10.4 billion.

Source: VIR