Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam surpassed $6.9 billion in the first two months of 2025, representing a 35.5% increase compared to the same period last year, according to the Foreign Investment Agency of the Ministry of Finance.
The agency also reported that by the end of February, FDI disbursement was estimated at around $2.95 billion, showing a 5.4% rise compared to the same time last year.
The report also noted a decrease in investment capital for new projects, while additional funding for ongoing projects and share acquisitions saw substantial growth.
From January to February, 516 new investment projects were registered, totalling over $2.19 billion, a 10% increase in the number of projects, but a 48.4% drop in registered capital.
In contrast, 256 existing projects secured additional investment of $4.18 billion, reflecting a 42.2% rise in project numbers and a nearly 7.4-fold surge in capital.
Furthermore, in terms of share purchases and capital contributions, 553 transactions were completed, amounting to nearly $529.8 million. This represented a 26.3% decline in the number of transactions, but an 88.8% increase in capital.
The agency stated that the significant rises in capital adjustments (up 635.7%) and share purchases and capital contributions (up 88.8%) offset the 48.4% drop in new investments, leading to an overall 35.5% growth in FDI this year.
The decline in new capital was attributed to a lower number of large-scale projects being registered. Only four projects surpassed $100 million in the first two months, compared to eight during the same period in 2024, Vietnam Plus reports.
The agency stated that the growth in new investment projects, along with the rise in capital adjustments and share purchases, highlights Vietnam's ongoing reputation as a reliable investment destination.
Vietnam's largest investors were from Asia, with the Republic of Korea taking the lead. In the first two months, Korean investments totalled over $1.5 billion, making up 21.7% of the total FDI registered in Vietnam, reflecting a 5.4-fold increase compared to the previous year.
Singapore followed closely with $1.48 billion, or 21.4% of total FDI. Other major investors included China, Japan, and Thailand.
China led in the number of projects, representing 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 allocated funds across 18 out of 21 sectors in Vietnam's economy. The manufacturing and processing industries attracted the largest share, with nearly $4.72 billion, making up 68.3% of total registered FDI, a 50.6% increase compared to the previous year.
The real estate sector followed, attracting nearly $1.5 billion, or 21.4% of total investment, although this was a 3.4% decrease compared to the same period last year.
Other notable sectors included professional activities, science and technology, and wholesale and retail, which secured registered capital of $354.6 million and nearly $149 million, respectively.