VIETNAM’S OVERSEAS INVESTMENT JUMPS 88.7% IN 2025

Customers sign up for Halotel services at a retail outlet in Tanzania. Halotel is a telecommunications company operated by Viettel - PHOTO: QDND.VN

HCMC – Vietnam’s outbound investment surged 88.7% from a year earlier to US$1.36 billion last year, according to data released by the National Statistics Office (NSO) under the Ministry of Finance.

The total includes newly licensed capital and additional funding for existing projects, marking the sharpest increase after several years of relatively slow growth.

Vietnamese authorities licensed 173 new overseas investment projects in 2025, with total registered capital of about US$1 billion, up 65.9% from 2024. In addition, 32 projects adjusted their capital upward, adding US$360.8 million, more than three times the previous year’s level.

By sector, outbound investment was concentrated in energy and manufacturing. Power generation and distribution, including electricity, gas, steam and air conditioning supply, received US$506.9 million, accounting for 37.2% of total overseas investment. Manufacturing and processing attracted US$300.7 million, or 22.1%. Wholesale and retail trade, including vehicle repair services, drew nearly US$130.8 million, or 9.6%.

Vietnamese capital flowed to 36 countries and territories in 2025. Laos was the largest destination, receiving US$773.7 million, or 56.8% of the total. The Philippines followed with US$92 million, or 6.8%. Germany received US$78.1 million, or 5.7%. The United States attracted US$74.5 million, or 5.5%, while Indonesia received US$69.6 million, or 5.1%.

The NSO said the increase reflects a rise in new overseas projects and a sharp expansion in additional capital for existing investments during the year.

Source: The Saigon Times