The foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam experienced a remarkable increase in the first quarter of 2026, reaching $15.2 billion. This represents a surge of 42.9% compared to the same period last year, according to the General Statistics Office.
Growth in Foreign Direct Investment
This significant rise in FDI reflects a broader trend of international businesses investing in the Vietnamese economy. In addition, FDI flows saw an exchange growth of 35.9% at the start of 2026.
Manufacturing Sector Leads
The manufacturing sector was the primary benefactor, attracting $7.07 billion, which accounts for 69% of the newly registered capital. Other sectors also contributed, with electricity production, gas, water supply, and air conditioning receiving $2.28 billion, amounting to 22.3%.
Startup Projects and Investments
- 904 new projects were approved in Q1, totaling a cumulative investment of $10.23 billion.
- This marks a 6.4% increase in the number of projects, with capital multiplied by 2.4 compared to last year.
- Released estimates suggest that disbursed FDI reached $5.41 billion, up by 9.1% year-on-year, the highest level recorded for a first quarter in five years.
Additional Investments
Additional investments saw some fluctuations, with 251 ongoing projects increasing their investments by $2.3 billion, a decrease of 55.1% compared to the previous year. Moreover, foreign capital contributions and share purchases amounted to $2.66 billion, which is 2.3 times higher than the same period last year.
Key International Investors
Out of 52 countries and territories that invested in new projects in Vietnam, Singapore led with $5.32 billion, making up 52% of the total new capital. The South Korea followed with an investment of $3.68 billion, which is 35.9% of the total.
| Country/Territory | Investment Amount ($ billion) | Percentage of Total (%) |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | 5.32 | 52 |
| South Korea | 3.68 | 35.9 |
| China | 0.4175 | 4.1 |
| Hong Kong | 0.2568 | 2.5 |
| Japan | 0.1913 | 1.9 |
| United States | 0.0913 | 0.9 |
In conclusion, Vietnam’s FDI landscape shows promising growth, especially in the manufacturing sector, as the government continues to support businesses in achieving double-digit growth.
