FDI inflows rise 35 per cent in first two months

FDI inflows rise 35 per cent in first two months

Vietnam reported more than $6.9 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first two months of the year, an on-year increase of 35.5, according to data from the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Finance.

FDI inflows rise by 35.5 per cent in the first two months

In the first two months of 2025, 516 new projects were granted investment registration certificates, with a total registered capital of $2.19 billion, up 10 per cent in the number of projects and down 48.4 per cent on-year in terms of capital.

The adjusted capital for 256 ongoing projects hit over $4.18 billion, up almost 42.2 per cent on-year in number, and equivalent to 7.4-fold in capital. There were 553 capital contributions and share purchases valued at almost $530 billion, falling 26.3 per cent and up 88.8 per cent, respectively.

Additionally, disbursed FDI reached about $2.95 billion, up 5.4 per cent on-year.

Foreign groups invested in 18 out of the 21 economic sectors in the first two months of the year. Among them, the manufacturing and processing industry took the lead with over $4.72 billion, accounting for 68.3 per cent of the total, and a 50.6 per cent decrease from a year ago.

Real estate followed with over $1.5 billion, capturing 21.4 per cent of the total and down 3.4 per cent on year. This was followed by professional, science, technology; wholesale and retail, with $354.6 million and nearly $149 million, respectively.

Among 67 countries and territories investing in Vietnam during the period, South Korea was the largest foreign investor, with nearly $1.5 billion, or 21.7 per cent of the total, equivalent to 5.4-fold on-year. Singapore ranked second with nearly $1.48 billion, accounting for 21.4 per cent and down 32.9 per cent on-year. It was followed by China, Japan, and Thailand.

In terms of project numbers, China ranks first for newly registered projects (accounting for 31 per cent) and adjusted-capital projects (making up 18.8 per cent), and South Korea ranks first for capital contributions and share purchases (27.1 per cent).

FDI continued to flow into the most attractive localities like Bac Ninh ($1.42 billion), Dong Nai ($1.16 billion), Hanoi ($1.1 billion), Ba Ria-Vung Tau ($544 million), Ho Chi Minh City ($503 million), and Haiphong ($405.6 million).

In terms of the project number, Ho Chi Minh City ranks first for newly registered projects (making up 37.8 per cent), adjusted-registered projects (21.9 per cent), and capital contributions and share purchases (66 per cent).

Exports of the foreign investment sector reached $45.8 billion (including crude oil) or $45.5 billion (excluding crude oil), up 5.5 per cent on year, and equivalent to more than 71 per cent of total export turnover.

Imports for the sector were estimated at $39.9 billion, up 14 per cent on-year, and covering 63.9 per cent of the total. The trade surplus of foreign-invested enterprises was almost $6 billion (including crude oil) or $5.6 billion (excluding crude oil), while the deficit of local businesses was $4.4 billion.

VIR