Cai Mep - Thi Vai deep-water port in Phu My town, Ba Ria - Vung Tau province is an important condition contributing to attracting FDI to the Southeast region. (Photo: VNA)
Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam exceeded 6.9 billion USD in the first two months of 2025, marking a 35.5% year-on-year surge, according to the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance.
The agency reported that by the end of February, FDI disbursement was estimated at approximately 2.95 billion USD, reflecting a 5.4% increase compared to the same period last year.
The report also highlighted a decline in investment capital for new projects, while additional capital for existing projects and share purchases showed significant growth.
From January to February, 516 new investment projects were registered, totaling more than 2.19 billion USD. This represented a 10% increase in the number of projects, but a 48.4% decrease in registered capital. On the other hand, 256 ongoing projects received additional investment capital of 4.18 billion USD, marking a 42.2% rise in project numbers and nearly a 7.4-fold increase in capital. In terms of share purchases and capital contributions, 553 transactions were made, totaling nearly 529.8 million USD. This was a 26.3% drop in the number of transactions, but an 88.8% increase in capital.
The agency explained that the sharp increases in capital adjustments (up 635.7%) and share purchases and capital contributions (up 88.8%) offset the 48.4% decline in new investments, resulting in the overall 35.5% growth in FDI this year. The decrease in new capital was attributed to fewer large-scale projects being registered. Only four projects exceeded 100 million USD in scale in the first two months, compared to eight during the same period in 2024.
The rise in new investment projects, along with the increase in capital adjustments and share purchases, reflects Vietnam's continued standing as a trusted investment destination, the agency stated.
Vietnam’s largest investors were from Asia, with the Republic of Korea leading the way. During this two-month period, Korean investments amounted to more than 1.5 billion USD, accounting for 21.7% of total FDI registered in Vietnam, representing a 5.4-fold rise year-on-year. Singapore followed closely with 1.48 billion USD, or 21.4% of total FDI. Other key investors included China, Japan, and Thailand.
China led in the number of projects, making up 31% of new investments and 18.8% of capital adjustments. Meanwhile, the Republic of Korea dominated share purchases and capital contributions, accounting for 27.1% of these transactions.
Foreign investors directed funds into 18 out of 21 sectors in Vietnam’s national economy. The manufacturing and processing industries attracted the largest share, with nearly 4.72 billion USD, representing 68.3% of total registered FDI, up 50.6% year-on-year.
The real estate sector followed closely, drawing nearly 1.5 billion USD, or 21.4% of total investment, although this represented a 3.4% decline compared to the same period last year. Other notable sectors included professional activities, science and technology, and wholesale and retail, with registered capital of 354.6 million USD and nearly 149 million USD, respectively./.
