Vietnam attracted strong inflows of foreign direct investment (FDI) between January and September, with total registered capital rising 15% to about US$28.5 billion, according to the Ministry of Finance’s Foreign Investment Agency.

A production line at Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park. Photo: Pham Hung/The Hanoi Times

Foreign investors launched over 2,900 new projects with a combined capital of $12.4 billion, up 17% in number but down 8.6% in value from last year.

Additional investment in existing projects surged, as nearly 1,100 projects registered an extra $11.3 billion, marking a 48% increase.

Foreign investors also made more than 2,500 capital contributions and share purchases worth $4.8 billion, up 35%.

The strong rise in mergers and acquisitions highlights Vietnam’s growing market maturity and investors’ confidence in local firms with high growth potential.

Manufacturing and processing continued to dominate new FDI, attracting $7.3 billion, or 59% of the total. Real estate ranked second with $2.6 billion, or 21%, while other sectors accounted for the rest.

Among the 82 countries and territories investing in Vietnam, Singapore led with $3.4 billion, accounting for 28% of total investment. China followed with $2.9 billion (23%), and Hong Kong (China) ranked third with $1.1 billion (8.5%).

FDI disbursement rose 8.5% year-on-year to reach a record $18.8 billion during the nine months, the highest level in five years.

This steady growth shows that foreign investors continue to expand factories and production facilities nationwide.

Manufacturing and processing absorbed $15.6 billion, or 83% of total disbursed FDI, reaffirming its role as the key driver of Vietnam’s economy.

Real estate and electricity production and distribution followed with $1.4 billion and nearly $600 million, respectively.

The Foreign Investment Agency said that Vietnam retains a strategic edge amid global economic fragmentation, thanks to its location, political stability and deep integration into the world economy.

“The FDI performance in the first nine months of 2025 reflects a positive and sustainable trend, creating a solid base for stronger growth in the final quarter and into 2026,” the agency noted.