According to the General Statistics Office, foreign direct investment (FDI) in Vietnam reached $38.23 billion in 2024.

While this represented a 3% decrease compared to the previous year, realized FDI set a record at over $25.35 billion, underscoring strong investor confidence in Vietnam’s economic environment.

The year saw 3,375 new projects licensed with a combined registered capital of $19.73 billion. This marked a 1.8% increase in project numbers but a 7.6% decline in total registered capital.

The manufacturing and processing sector continued to dominate, attracting $13.44 billion, which accounted for 68.1% of new FDI registrations. Real estate came second, with $3.72 billion, or 18.8%, while other sectors contributed $2.57 billion, equivalent to 13.1%.

Among 80 countries and territories investing in Vietnam in 2024, Singapore stood out as the largest investor, with $6.26 billion in registered capital, accounting for 31.7% of total new registrations.

South Korea followed with $2.89 billion, representing 14.6%, while China came in third with $2.84 billion, or 14.4%. Hong Kong ranked fourth with $2.17 billion, equivalent to 11.0%.

In terms of adjusted capital, 1,539 projects saw additional investments totaling $13.96 billion, a significant increase of 50.4% from the previous year.

When combined with newly registered capital and adjustments from prior years, the manufacturing and processing sector remained the top recipient, receiving $24.68 billion, or 73.3% of total adjusted and new FDI. Real estate secured $5.09 billion, or 15.1%, while other sectors accounted for $3.91 billion, or 11.6%.

Capital contributions and share purchases by foreign investors amounted to $4.54 billion across 3,502 transactions, a 48.1% drop compared to 2023.

Of this, real estate attracted $1.22 billion, or 26.8%, followed by the manufacturing and processing sector with $896.6 million, representing 19.8%. Other sectors accounted for $2.42 billion, equivalent to 53.4%.

Realized FDI, a key indicator of actual investment activity, reached a historic high of $25.35 billion, a 9.4% increase from the previous year.

The manufacturing and processing sector led with $20.62 billion, accounting for 81.4% of the total. Real estate activities contributed $1.84 billion, representing 7.2%, while utilities, including electricity, gas, and water, added $1.07 billion, or 4.2%.

Nguyen Thi Huong, Director General of the General Statistics Office, stated that the record-high realized FDI reflects foreign investors’ trust in Vietnam’s economic potential and its increasing contributions to economic growth.

Vietnam’s outbound investment also saw significant growth in 2024, with 164 new projects approved, totaling $603.7 million, more than double the figure from the previous year.

Additionally, 26 projects adjusted their capital by $61.1 million, a decline of 55.8%. Combined, Vietnam’s total outward investment reached $664.8 million, an increase of 57.7% from 2023.

Nguyen Le