According to data released by the National Statistics Office (Ministry of Finance) in early September 2026, as of August 31, 2026, total foreign investment capital registered in Vietnam reached USD 40.63 billion, up 55.4% over the same period last year. Realised (disbursed) capital reached USD 17.25 billion, up 12% – the highest level recorded for the first eight months in the past five years.
New projects saw modest numerical growth but were significantly larger in scale
Nationwide, 2,771 new projects were licensed with a total registered capital of USD 21.72 billion. While the number of projects rose by only 9.4%, registered capital for new projects surged by 96.8%. In other words, the average scale of each new project increased sharply to approximately USD 7.8 million per project.
In addition:
- 819 operational projects registered capital additions totaling USD 12.21 billion (up 14.7%);
- 2,062 capital contribution and share purchase transactions with a total value of USD 6.7 billion (up 50.1%).
Continuous expansion by existing investors alongside strong M&A activity demonstrates that confidence in Vietnam's business environment extends well beyond new entrants.
Manufacturing and processing remains the primary destination
In terms of newly registered and added capital, the manufacturing and processing industry attracted USD 20.18 billion, accounting for 59.5%. Real estate business ranked second with USD 5.32 billion (15.7%).
Singapore and South Korea lead the pack
Singapore was the largest investor with USD 7.62 billion (35.1%), followed by South Korea with USD 5.67 billion (26.1%), Hong Kong (China) with USD 2.96 billion, mainland China with USD 1.93 billion, and Japan with USD 1.42 billion.
Key takeaways for companies exploring the Vietnamese market
- Competition for industrial land and premises will intensify: As mega-projects flow in, well-equipped industrial park land, ready-built factories, and skilled technical labor in popular localities will become increasingly scarce. Businesses should survey and compare multiple locations early.
- Opportunities for suppliers: Large-scale factories drive demand for components, materials, logistics, and services—opening pathways for SMEs to enter the supply chain.
- M&A offers an effective gateway: A more than 50% surge in capital contribution and share purchase transactions indicates that acquiring or entering joint ventures with existing companies is an increasingly popular route for faster market entry.
SUNINCON accompanies International companies from industrial park surveys and working with authorities to company formation, partner matching, and capital sourcing. If you are considering investing in Vietnam, register for a market survey to receive tailored advisory.
