As of June 20, 2024, Vietnam has witnessed significant growth in foreign investment, with total newly registered capital, adjustments, and capital contributions by foreign investors reaching over $18 billion. This marks an impressive increase of 10.9% compared to the same period in 2023.
Foreign investors have shown strong interest in new projects, with 1,816 projects being granted investment registration certificates, reflecting an 11.6% increase. The total registered capital for these new projects has surpassed $10.76 billion, up 35.6% compared to last year.
Additionally, there have been 734 projects that registered for adjusted investment capital, a slight decrease of 0.3%, yet the total additional registered capital reached nearly $4.97 billion, marking a 19.4% increase. The newly registered capital, adjustments, and capital contributions transactions by foreign investors totaled 1,795, a 3.1% decrease, with the total contributed capital being nearly $2.27 billion, a significant 45.2% decrease from the same period last year.
Foreign investors have shown interest in 18 out of 21 national economic sectors. The processing and manufacturing industry leads the way with more than $12.65 billion in total investment capital, accounting for 70.3% of the total registered investment capital and showing a 15.7% increase. The real estate sector ranks second, with over $2.87 billion, making up nearly 16% of the total registered investment capital and demonstrating a remarkable 78% increase. Following these are the wholesale and retail sectors, with a total registered capital of nearly $740.5 million, and professional, scientific, and technological activities, which have received more than $490.6 million.
Regarding the number of projects, the processing and manufacturing industry remains dominant, accounting for 35.1% of new projects and 65.8% of capital adjustments. The wholesale and retail sector leads in newly registered capital, adjustments, and capital contributions transactions, accounting for 42.1%.
Ninety-one countries and territories have invested in Vietnam during the first seven months of 2024. Singapore leads with a total investment capital of nearly $6.52 billion, making up 36.2% of the total investment capital and showing a 79.1% increase from the same period in 2023. Hong Kong ranks second with more than $2.19 billion, accounting for 12.2% of total investment capital, more than double the amount from the same period last year. Other significant investors include Japan, China, and South Korea. China is the top partner in the number of new investment projects, representing 29.7%, while South Korea leads in capital adjustments (24.5%) and newly registered capital, adjustments, and capital contributions (26%).
Investment has been distributed across 48 provinces and cities in Vietnam. Bac Ninh leads with nearly $3.2 billion in total registered investment capital, accounting for 17.8% of the country’s total and showing more than a threefold increase from the same period last year. Quang Ninh follows with over $1.56 billion, representing 8.7% of total registered investment capital and more than a 2.2 times increase. Ho Chi Minh City ranks third with nearly $1.55 billion, accounting for 8.6% of the total. In terms of project numbers, Ho Chi Minh City tops the list for both new projects (39.1%) and newly registered capital, adjustments, and capital contributions (70.1%), while Hanoi leads in capital adjustment projects (14%).
As of March 20, 2024, it is estimated that foreign investment projects have disbursed approximately $12.55 billion, an increase of 8.4% compared to the same period in 2023. Exports, including crude oil, are estimated at nearly $162.9 billion, up 13.1%, accounting for 72.3% of export turnover. Excluding crude oil, exports are nearly $161.8 billion, up 13.2%, accounting for 71.8% of the country’s export turnover. Imports for the foreign-invested sector are estimated at nearly $135 billion, a 16.9% increase, accounting for 63.4% of the country’s import turnover.
Overall, the foreign investment sector’s trade surplus, including crude oil, stands at nearly $27.9 billion, and nearly $26.8 billion excluding crude oil. Meanwhile, the domestic business sector recorded a trade deficit of $15.55 billion. The first seven months of 2024 highlight Vietnam’s increasing attractiveness to foreign investors, with robust performance across key economic sectors and regions.
ASL Law is a leading full-service and independent Vietnamese law firm made up of experienced and talented lawyers. ASL Law is ranked as the top tier Law Firm in Vietnam by Legal500, Asia Law, WTR, and Asia Business Law Journal. Based in both Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam, the firm’s main purpose is to provide the most practical, efficient, and lawful advice to its domestic and international clients. If we can be of assistance, please email to [email protected].
ASL LAW is the top-tier Vietnam law firm for in-depth legal advice in Vietnam and internationally. If you need any advice, please contact us for further information or collaboration.