Vietnam attracted approximately $20.21 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) from the beginning of this year to September 20, up 7.7 per cent on-year.

In the period, there were 2,254 newly-registered projects with a combined capital of $10.23 billion, up 66.3 per cent in the number of projects and 43.6 per cent in capital compared to the same period last year. The value of capital contribution and share purchase deals rose by 47 per cent to $4.82 billion.

In contrast with the growth, $5.15 billion, down 37.3 per cent on-year, was added to almost 934 existing projects (up 21.5 per cent).

This decline has been improving as compared to previous months at 39.7 per cent in the first eight months, 42.5 per cent in the first seven months, 57.1 per cent in the first half, 59.4 per cent in the first five months, and 68.6 per cent in the first four months.

The manufacturing and processing sector led in FDI attraction among 18 sectors interested in foreign-invested enterprises (FIEs), with $10.93 billion. It was followed by real estate on $1.61 billion, finance and banking $1.54 billion, and wholesale and retail $734 million.

In January-September, there were 102 countries and territories pouring capital into Vietnam, in which Singapore topped the list with $3.98 billion, capturing 19.7 per cent of the total. It was followed by China on $2.92 billion and Japan with $2.9 billion.

Those investors poured their capital into 54 provinces and cities in the period, with Hanoi receiving the lion's share - $2.53 billion, up 2.46 times on-year. Haiphong came second with over $2.21 billion, up 82.4 per cent, followed by Ho Chi Minh City, Bac Giang, and Binh Duong.

As of September 20, FDI disbursement was estimated at $15.9 billion, up 2.2 per cent on-year.

FIEs' export value (including crude oil) was estimated at $191.3 billion, down 8.9 per cent on-year, making up 73.5 per cent of total export turnover; or $189.9 billion (excluding crude oil), capturing 72.9 per cent of the total.

FIEs' import value was nearly $154.12 billion, down 14.2 per cent on-year, and accounting for 64.4 per cent of total import values.

The trade surplus of FIEs in the first nine months was $37.2 billion (including crude oil) or $35.8 billion (excluding crude oil), while local businesses reported a trade deficit of $16.1 billion.