The event was organized by RMIT University in collaboration with the Southern Investment Promotion, Information and Support Center, Foreign Investment Agency, Ministry of Finance (SIPISC). With the theme “Attracting FDI to Vietnam in the era of growth: Multi-dimensional dialogue to create breakthroughs”, the forum emphasized the country’s transformation from a low-cost investment destination to a center of innovation, sustainability and digital transformation.

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Partners from the Government , academia, domestic and foreign businesses, came together to discuss how Vietnam is shaping the future of FDI at the Global Business Forum 2025. Photo: RMIT

Vietnam's impressive story of attracting FDI

Vietnam is no longer simply a low-cost investment destination but is gradually asserting its position as a regional leader in high technology, green technology and digital technology.

At the forum, partners from the Government, universities, research institutes and domestic and foreign enterprises discussed how Vietnam can shape the future of foreign direct investment (FDI) flows through strategic reforms and multilateral cooperation.

Prof. Robert McClelland, Dean of the School of Business, opened the forum by highlighting Vietnam's impressive achievements in attracting FDI.

“Vietnam’s FDI story is truly groundbreaking. In the first half of 2025 alone, the country attracted more than 21.51 billion USD in FDI, up 32.6% over the same period in 2024. This growth, driven by sectors such as manufacturing, real estate, green technology and scientific research, affirms Vietnam’s increasingly prominent role as a hub for innovation and sustainable development in the region,” said Prof. Robert McClelland.

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Ms. Tran Thi Hai Yen, Director of SIPISC. Photo: RMIT

Ms. Tran Thi Hai Yen, Director of SIPISC, emphasized the Government's commitment to building a transparent and competitive investment environment. Despite global economic uncertainties, total FDI disbursement in Vietnam in 2024 reached 25.35 billion USD - an increase of 9.4% over the previous year and the highest level in the past six years. This figure is completely opposite to the global trend, when world FDI decreased by 11%, to only 1,500 billion USD in 2024 (according to UNCTAD).

Ms. Yen affirmed that this is clear evidence of Vietnam's resilience and increasing attractiveness to international investors.

Multilateral dialogue promotes breakthroughs

In a panel discussion gathering perspectives from international business associations and domestic enterprises, Mr. Sam Conroy, President of the Australian Business Association in Vietnam, emphasized the country's growing interest in infrastructure investment and supply chains in Vietnam.

“Recent policy reforms have helped reduce risks for Australian investors, making Vietnam a more attractive destination,” Mr. Conroy shared.

Mr. JP Shriram, Chairman of the Indian Business Association in Vietnam, highlighted the untapped potential of FDI from India and called for a cooperative approach between the two countries rather than a competitive one, as each country has a vibrant consumer market and is a promising investment destination for the other. He emphasized the development of international financial centers in Ho Chi Minh City and Da Nang, considering this an important factor in attracting Indian investors to Vietnam.

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The panel discussion brought together different perspectives from international business associations and domestic enterprises. Photo: RMIT

From the domestic business side, Mr. Huynh Thanh Van, Chairman of the National Startup Advisory and Support Council in the Southern region and Chairman of S Furniture, shared how FDI cooperation relationships are helping domestic businesses gradually move up the value chain, and encouraging the young generation of entrepreneurs to innovate.

Associate Professor Abel Alonso, Senior Lecturer of the International Business Program, mentioned the importance of building a “quality FDI culture” in Vietnam. He noted that in addition to incentives and infrastructure, transparent regulations, an easy-to-do business environment, and diversification of investment sectors will bring peace of mind to investors.

Dr. Dang Thao Quyen, Acting Deputy Head of the Department of Management in charge of teaching and learning and Head of the Senior Department of International Business, Faculty of Business, expanded this perspective by emphasizing the role of multi-stakeholder cooperation in promoting quality FDI.

“A breakthrough in attracting FDI cannot come from a single party, but requires the collaboration between the Government, domestic and foreign enterprises, academia and the young generation of experts. Open dialogues, where all parties listen, remove bottlenecks and work together, will be the key to achieving mutually beneficial results. The future of FDI is no longer a story of attracting capital but needs to focus on commitment, innovation and working towards a common goal,” said Ms. Quyen.

As Vietnam continues to shape its investment narrative, the Global Business Forum 2025 affirms that Vietnam is ready to lead a new era of sustainable, strategic and collaborative growth.

Le Thanh

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/viet-nam-tao-da-thu-hut-dong-von-fdi-chat-luong-cao-2436169.html