14TH NATIONAL CONGRESS OF THE COMMUNIST PARTY OF VIETNAM
Log in
Business

Vietnam to up FDI in 2016: experts

Vietnam is expected to attract more foreign investment next year and in the future due to the opportunities and advantages resulting from free trade agreements (FTAs), according to experts.

Vo Tri Thanh, deputy head of the Central Institute of Economic Management (CIEM), said of the FTAs, the Trans Pacific Partnership (TPP) deal and FTA between Vietnam and the European Union (EU) would open great opportunities for Vietnam to attract additional foreign investment, especially foreign direct investment (FDI) capital.
If foreign investors come to Vietnam to participate in production and business, they could approach large markets that are member countries of the FTAs, Thanh said.

 
Photo for illustration
Photo for illustration
These member countries include the US, Japan, Australia and Canada, under the TPP, and EU countries operating under the FTA. The two large trade agreements include commitments related to Viet Nam's policies and regulations on foreign enterprises, competition, e-commerce, public procurement, labour, environment and intellectual property rights.
Therefore, Thanh said when implementing the commitments, Vietnam would promote socio-economic reforms for all sides, he said. This would increase the confidence of investors, based upon Vietnam's improved investment environment.
Thanh added that in the past three years, many large companies of the US, Japan and the EU had come to Vietnam to study markets and the investment environment, reported the Dien Dan Doanh Nghiep newspaper. Some of these companies had invested billions of US dollars into the local textile and garment industry to take advantage of the TPP.
Now, the US had become one of the top ten largest foreign investors in Vietnam, he said, and the US expects to be the largest foreign investor in the nation in the future.
According to the General Statistics Office, disbursement of FDI in Vietnam reached an estimated US$13.2 billion from the beginning of 2015 through November 20, up 17.9% against 2014.
There were many large projects during this period, said Nguyen Mai, chairman of the Vietnam Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises. They included the US$1.5 billion LG factory in Haiphong, Samsung's factories in Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen provinces, and Microsoft's factory in Bac Ninh. 
They also involved the Nghi Son Petrochemical Refinery project, with an investment of US$9.5 billion, a US$9.9 billion Formosa steel complex in Ha Tinh and a US$1.4 billion Samsung factory in Ho Chi Minh City.
Investors from large countries had planned to invest in Vietnam, such as Japan, the Republic of Korea, Germany and the US, Mai noted.
According to a Japan External Trade Organisation (JETRO) survey, 80% of Japanese companies surveyed have planned to study investment activities in Vietnam, while 70% of Japanese companies operating in Vietnam hope to expand their investments in the country, he said.
Meanwhile, there were positive feedbacks from foreign investors of other associations, such as Amcham and Eurocham.
Mai said that next year, many multinational groups have scheduled to move their production and businesses from other regional countries to Viet Nam, to take advantage of the FTAs, reported online newspaper bizlive.
Therefore, the Government should guide authorities of provinces and cities to choose suitable foreign investors and technologies to protect the environment and save energy, he noted. 
 
Reactions:
Share:
Trending
Most Viewed
From clay toys to tea: culture shapes shopping at Spring Fair 2026

From clay toys to tea: culture shapes shopping at Spring Fair 2026

Beyond its record-breaking scale, the first Spring Fair 2026 feels less like a marketplace than a cultural crossroads, where regional identities, handcrafted goods and digital ambition converge, hinting at how Vietnamese products may find new value ahead of the Lunar New Year 2026.

Kieu Phu Commune spring fair brings local products closer to Tet shoppers

Kieu Phu Commune spring fair brings local products closer to Tet shoppers

In the days leading up to Tet, a spring fair in Hanoi’s Kieu Phu Commune turns everyday shopping into a shared cultural moment, where Vietnamese goods, local stories and festive anticipation meet in a rural setting.

Philippine businesses keen on agricultural partnerships at Spring Fair 2026

Philippine businesses keen on agricultural partnerships at Spring Fair 2026

More than a seasonal consumer event, the Spring Fair 2026 is steadily evolving into an open trade promotion platform where direct, practical connections between Vietnamese producers and international partners are formed.

Vietnam targets 90% profit goal for Japanese Companies

Vietnam targets 90% profit goal for Japanese Companies

Japan’s businesses continue to rank Vietnam among their most attractive destinations in Southeast Asia, supported by rising profitability, expanding investment plans and closer government-to-business engagement.

Spring Fair 2026 draws visitors on Hanoi traditional crafts through hand-on experiences

Spring Fair 2026 draws visitors on Hanoi traditional crafts through hand-on experiences

Hanoi’s Spring Fair 2026 highlights traditional craft villages through interactive experiences, market expansion and digital promotion efforts ahead of Tet.

Hanoi unveils space promoting local brands

Hanoi unveils space promoting local brands

The venue will serve as a dedicated center honoring the finest Vietnamese brands and linking them with consumers via both in-person experiences and online channels.

Hanoi tipped as emerging rail industry hub

Hanoi tipped as emerging rail industry hub

The rail industry complex is expected to serve as the central pillar of a new era for the sector, marked by the emergence of high-speed rail and expanded urban rail networks.

Regional specialties drive strong sales at Spring Fair 2026

Regional specialties drive strong sales at Spring Fair 2026

Food and specialty booths at Spring Fair 2026 are drawing strong crowds and sales as Tet approaches, reflecting rising demand for Vietnamese regional products with clear origins and trusted quality.