Vietnam FDI registered capital hits record $50.36 billion
Disbursed foreign direct investment also reached a five-year high of $21.07 billion in the first nine months of 2026, with full-year registered capital projected to exceed $60 billion.
Record inflows for 2026
Registered foreign direct investment (FDI) into Vietnam reached $50.36 billion in the first nine months of 2026, marking a 76.4% increase year-on-year. This figure represents a new record for the period, excluding the exceptional year of 2008 when many announced projects did not materialise.
Disbursed capital also saw a significant rise, up 12.1% to $21.07 billion, the highest level in five years. The Foreign Investment Agency, operating under the Ministry of Finance, projects total registered FDI for the full year to surpass $60 billion, potentially reaching $70 billion if major projects secure approval in the final quarter. Disbursed FDI is expected to approach $30 billion by year-end.
Boosting local economies and exports
The surge in FDI is bolstering local economies across Vietnam. Ha Tinh province, for instance, reported a 12.36% increase in its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) for the first nine months, driven by expanded output in sectors like automobile manufacturing, power generation, and steel.
Industrial production in Ha Tinh province grew by 40.2%, the highest nationwide, supported by facilities like Formosa Ha Tinh Steel and the Vung Ang II thermal power plant. Similarly, Hai Phong saw its GRDP climb 12.08%, ranking third nationally, due to new capacity in electronics, mechanical engineering, and automobile components.
Foreign-invested enterprises were also critical to national exports, contributing $350.4 billion, or 80.7%, of Vietnam’s total export turnover of $434.3 billion in the first nine months.
High-tech focus and policy support
Deputy Minister of Finance Tran Quoc Phuong noted an improvement in the quality of FDI, with a growing focus on large-scale projects in high-tech areas such as electronics, semiconductors, digital transformation, and artificial intelligence (AI). These investments are strengthening Vietnam's position within global high-tech manufacturing and semiconductor supply chains.
The government is actively implementing Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW and Resolution No. 280/NQ-CP, alongside proposed amendments to the Investment Law, to refine regional investment strategies and introduce more attractive incentives.
Initiatives include simplifying administrative procedures and establishing fast-track mechanisms for strategic technology projects, particularly in semiconductors, AI, and data infrastructure.
Recent investment announcements underscore continued foreign interest in Vietnam's evolving industrial landscape. German semiconductor firm Infineon Technologies has established a new office in Ho Chi Minh City, with plans to double its research and development workforce.
Industrial developer WHA secured in-principle approval for a new industrial park in Da Nang, representing an investment exceeding $100 million. Samsung is also expected to commit billions more to semiconductor substrate production at its Thai Nguyen facility, while LG recently invested over $1 billion.
These substantial commitments signal Vietnam's increasing role in advanced manufacturing and semiconductor packaging, further expanding domestic production capacity and integrating the country deeper into global supply chains.
This article is journalism, not investment advice; consult a licensed professional before making financial decisions. Market data is indicative, may be delayed, and should be verified with your broker or exchange before use.
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