* A bright spot attracting FDI
According to the Foreign Investment Agency ( Ministry of Finance ), in the first nine months of 2025, Vietnam attracted US$28.54 billion in FDI, a 15.2% increase compared to the same period last year. This included US$12.39 billion in newly registered FDI (2,926 new projects, a 17.7% increase compared to the same period in 2024); US$11.32 billion in adjusted capital (a 48% increase); and US$4.84 billion in capital contributions and share purchases (a 35% increase compared to the same period last year). The increase in adjusted FDI capital and capital contributions/share purchases compared to the same period shows that Vietnam's investment and business environment is improving, and foreign investors are optimistic about expanding their production and business activities.
Among the sectors attracting FDI, the processing and manufacturing industry continues to play a leading role. In the first nine months of 2025, including both newly registered capital and adjusted registered capital of projects licensed in previous years, FDI registered in the processing and manufacturing industry reached US$15 billion, accounting for 63.3% of the total newly registered and increased capital.
Regarding foreign investors' capital contributions and share purchases, investment in the processing and manufacturing industry reached US$1.79 billion, accounting for 37% of the total capital contribution value; a highlight is that foreign investors are showing greater interest in the technology sector, with capital contributions for share purchases in professional, scientific, and technological activities reaching US$1.06 billion, accounting for 21.9% of the total capital contribution value in the first nine months.
According to the Foreign Investment Agency, realized FDI capital in the first nine months of 2025 is estimated at US$18.8 billion, an increase of 8.5% compared to the same period last year. This is the highest realized foreign direct investment capital for the first nine months in the past five years. Of this, the processing and manufacturing industry reached US$15.56 billion, accounting for 82.8%; real estate business activities reached US$1.37 billion...
The World Bank's September 2025 Vietnam Economic Update report also noted that the fiscal deficit in Vietnam will reach 3.2% of GDP in the first quarter of 2025; however, FDI inflows into Vietnam will remain stable. Foreign investors continue to have confidence in Vietnam's economic prospects, and the FDI inflow maintaining at 3.3% of GDP in the first quarter of 2025 is an important indicator of this confidence. FDI inflows are projected to continue in the coming period despite uncertainties in global trade, due to the improved assessment of Vietnam's business environment reforms.
Foreign direct investment (FDI) has made a significant contribution to Vietnam's economic growth in recent years, especially in import and export. According to the Foreign Investment Agency, in the first nine months of 2025, the export value of goods from the FDI sector (including crude oil) reached US$263.33 billion, an increase of 21.4%, accounting for 75.5% of the country's total export value. The FDI sector recorded a trade surplus of US$37.08 billion (including crude oil) and became a pillar supporting export growth.
Optimism about business confidence
Regarding Vietnam's business environment, many international organizations have noted that recent institutional reforms have created new drivers of development. The European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (EuroCham) recently announced that its Business Confidence Index (BCI) for the third quarter of 2025 reached 66.5 points (compared to 61.1 points in the second quarter), thanks to Vietnam's proactive efforts and measures to boost public investment and administrative reforms. This reflects renewed optimism regarding Vietnam's economic prospects and business environment.
Kwong Lung Meko Co., Ltd. - a foreign direct investment (FDI) enterprise operating in Can Tho City. Photo: My Thanh
According to EuroCham's survey, compared to the second quarter, the percentage of businesses confident in the stability and improvement of the economy increased significantly in the third quarter, reaching 68% (compared to only 50% in the second quarter who believed "The economy is likely to stabilize and improve in the next quarter"). The percentage of businesses predicting "The economy is likely to worsen in the next quarter" also decreased to 7% (compared to 11% in the second quarter), reflecting a generally optimistic sentiment.
The EuroCham report stated: “The government is actively pursuing its GDP growth target of over 8% through increased public investment, administrative reforms, and the implementation of green initiatives, thereby further bolstering market optimism. However, uncertainties in global trade and domestic administrative adjustments remain significant challenges for businesses.”
Although the current outlook is balanced, assessments of the future outlook for Q4-2025 tend to be more positive, with 56% of businesses rating it "Good" or "Very Good," 28% rating it "Normal," and 14% and 2% rating it "Bad" and "Very Bad," respectively. Concerns about stagnant domestic export orders, rising tariffs and logistics costs continue to weaken export activity; the worsening situation of delayed payments as large businesses postpone payments puts pressure on the entire supply chain.
Assessing the outlook for the next five years, EuroCham member businesses participating in the survey are more optimistic, with 80% expecting growth opportunities. They also acknowledge Vietnam as an attractive investment destination for foreign businesses. 76% of businesses indicated they would likely recommend Vietnam as an investment destination, an increase of 4 points compared to the previous survey. Businesses also advised that simplifying administrative procedures, strengthening law enforcement, clarifying the legal framework, and more effective environmental control are key factors that can enhance Vietnam's competitiveness in attracting FDI.
The survey results indicate that administrative burdens remain a core challenge, with tax-related procedures and work permits also posing significant obstacles for businesses. Up to 48% of surveyed businesses expect reforms in work permit and visa policies to have a more positive impact on their business operations and investment plans.
Although there are still many issues that need reform to enhance attractiveness to foreign investors, the EuroCham report indicates that the majority of businesses surveyed believe that global trade tensions have little or no impact on their business plans. 50% of businesses surveyed said they have no plans to change their supply chain structure, and 44% said this would not apply.
Despite geopolitical challenges and the fragmentation of global trade, international forecasts for Vietnam's growth are more favorable than those of other East Asia and Pacific countries. Another positive sign is that on October 8, 2025, FTSE Russell announced its October 2025 market classification, upgrading the Vietnamese stock market to "Emerging Market". “This is a significant milestone, recognizing Vietnam’s strong, comprehensive, and substantive reform efforts in perfecting institutions, modernizing infrastructure, enhancing transparency, protecting investors, and integrating with international standards. The upgrade opens up great opportunities to attract both active and passive international investment flows, contributing to reduced capital costs for businesses, increasing the depth and quality of the capital market, and affirming Vietnam’s position on the global financial map,” the Ministry of Finance’s press release stated.
As of September 30, 2025, the whole country had 44,476 active FDI projects with a total registered capital of approximately US$523.3 billion. Foreign investors have invested in 19 out of 21 national economic sectors; of which, the processing and manufacturing industry accounts for the highest proportion with over US$298.7 billion, representing 60.7% of the total registered capital.
Cumulative disbursed capital reached US$341.4 billion, equivalent to 65.2% of the total registered capital still in effect.
Text and photos: GIA BAO
Source: https://baocantho.com.vn/viet-nam-tiep-tuc-la-diem-den-hap-dan-nha-dau-tu-fdi-a192431.html
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