Vietnam attracts nearly USD 16.8 bln in FDI in eight months

Vietnam raked in nearly USD 16.8 billion in foreign direct investment (FDI) as of August 20, down 12.3 percent year-on-year, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

In the period, a remarkable decrease was seen in the value of newly-registered capital, down 43.9 percent to USD 6.35 billion. Meanwhile, additional capital injected into existing projects rose by 50.7 percent to USD 7.5 billion; and capital contributions and share purchases was up 3.6 percent to USD 2.9 billion.

Experts said that although Vietnam is still assessed as an attractive destination, the current world developments such as Russia-Ukraine tensions, supply chain disruptions and escalating inflation have remarkably affected FDI influxes into the country and other Southeast Asian nations.

During January-August, USD 12.8 billion of foreign-invested projects was disbursed, up 10.5 percent year-on-year, signaling foreign investors’ confidence in Vietnam’s investment prospects in the coming time.
Processing and manufacturing continued to lure the largest FDI capital, with USD 10.7 billion, accounting for 63.9 percent of the total. It was followed by real estate business, with over USD 3.3 billion, making up 19.9 percent of the total.

Singapore topped the list of the 94 nations and territories pouring capital in Vietnam in the period, with USD 4.53 billion, accounting for 27 percent of the total. It was followed by the Republic of Korea and Japan, with nearly USD 3.5 billion and USD 1.49 billion, respectively.

Ho Chi Minh City attracted the largest capital, with more than USD 2.7 billion, making up 16.1 percent of the total, followed by Binh Duong with nearly USD 2.64 billion, and Bac Ninh nearly USD 1.75 billion.

As of August 20, the country had over 35,500 valid projects totaling over USD 430 billion. Meanwhile, disbursement is estimated at USD 264.4 billion, equal to 61.5 percent of the total valid registered capital.

In the first eight months of this year, the foreign-invested sector reported an export value of USD 184.66 billion (including crude oil), up 17 percent year-on-year and accounting for 73.9 percent of the total.