FDI firms optimistic about Vietnam’s economic recovery
Foreign-invested enterprises have shown optimism about the recovery of Vietnam’s economic and investment climate during a conference on supporting foreign investors to adapt to new normal business situation that took place in Ho Chi Minh City on December 17.
HCM City (VNA) – Foreign-invested enterprises have shown optimism about the recovery of Vietnam’s economic and investment climate during a conference on supporting foreign investors to adapt to new normal business situation that took place in Ho Chi Minh City on December 17.
Vu Tien Loc, President of the Vietnam International Arbitration Centre (VIAC), said that in 2021, FDI firms have been greatly affected by COVID-19 pandemic. As of November 2021, total FDI poured into Vietnam reached 26.46 billion USD. However, only 15.5 billion USD had been disbursed, down 4.1 percent year on year, he noted.
Thargbodee Serng Adichaiwit, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, said that from October this year when HCM City reopened and the Government of Vietnam switched its anti-pandemic strategy to flexible adaption, Thai firms have recovered their production. He expressed his belief that with the strategy, Vietnam will secure fast recovery and attract more FDI.
He said that many Thai enterprises are interested in investing in Vietnam to exploit the huge consumer market and the strong commitments by the Government and localities of Vietnam in improving the business environment.
Cao Thi Phi Van, Vice Director of the Investment and Trade Promotion Center (ITPC) of Ho Chi Minh City, said that this year is an extremely difficult year for the city and the business community as well. However, FDI flow into the city has been at highest level among localities nationwide with nearly 49 billion USD, accounting for 12.1 percent of total FDI poured into Vietnam, she said, adding that the city has still played the role of an economic motivation of the country by contributing over 22 percent to the national GDP and more than 26 percent to the State budget.
Lauding Vietnam’s adaptation capacity, Catherine Tran, Director of Leonglee International Ltd, said that currently, many businesses have already recovered and become well prepared for COVID-19.
She held that along with its negative impacts, COVID-19 has prompted businesses to improve their capacity in designing their long-term business strategies and become ready for every change to rise up./.
While sustainable smart cities are considered a solution to sustain international business investments, for Việt Nam experts have advised local cities and provinces to prioritise building them to attract FDI.
Vietnam’s economic conditions continued to improve, with both industrial production and retail sales registered a third month of growth, said World Bank (WB) in the December edition of its Vietnam Macro Monitoring.
The northern province of Vinh Phuc estimates to attract 35 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects and 1.015 billion USD in both newly-registered and addition capital in 2021.
Vietnam’s footwear exports are likely to grow 5 percent this year although COVID-19-induced supply chain disruptions caused decreases in August and September, according to Phan Thi Thanh Xuan, Secretary-General of the Vietnam Leather, Footwear and Handbag Association (Lefaso).
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The Binh Duong Association of Supporting Industries (BASI) is expected to promote the usage of domestically manufactured components while supporting businesses in accessing international markets, strengthening linkages, and promoting deeper integration into global supply chains.
PwC Vietnam forecasts a vibrant M&A market in Vietnam’s healthcare sector in 2025, driven by rising demand for high-quality medical services and a growing middle class. Pharmaceutical companies, private hospitals, and specialised medical facilities, particularly in ophthalmology and oncology, are predicted to be key targets for M&A.
The central province of Quang Nam is set to become a hub for the medicinal plant industry, with Ngoc Linh ginseng designated as the core crop, under the Prime Minister's decision issued earlier this year.
The North-South Expressway project is scheduled for completion by 2030, aiming to establish the groundwork for Vietnam’s modern railway industry and stimulate regional economic development, positioning the country for a significant economic leap in the era of national rise.
The probe, initiated on June 11 following a petition by the US Coalition for Fair Trade in Hardwood Plywood, targets products classified under HS Code 4412 and 9403 imported from China, Indonesia and Vietnam.
Sun PhuQuoc Airways was born as a perfect piece in Sun Group’s strategic vision to build a premium ecosystem of tourism, entertainment, real estate, and aviation. With a pioneering ambition, Sun PhuQuoc Airways is not just an airline, but a symbol of connection – bringing the world to Phu Quoc and taking Phu Quoc to the world.
A key change in the draft decree is a provision requiring bank transfers for gold transactions valued at 20 million VND (765 USD) and above, to enhance transparency and verify customer identities.
In the first four months of 2025, trade turnover between Vietnam and Cambodia surpassed 3 billion USD, marking a 7% increase compared to the same period in 2024.
On June 19 alone, a total of 2,005 trucks completed customs clearance at Lang Son’s border gates — the highest single-day figure ever recorded in the province. Of these, 634 carried exports and 1,371 imports.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
Illustrative photo (Source: VNA) 
