Hanoi (VNA)🦩 – Despite a dip in the number of newly established firms, Hanoi recorded strong foreign direct investment (FDI) inflows in the first four months of 2025, signalling an increasingly attractive investment climate in the capital.

According to the municipal authorities, around 9,400 new enterprises were licensed during the period, down 2.7% in number and 22.3% in registered capital year-on-year. However, nearly 4,800 businesses resumed operations, marking a 5.5% increase. Online business registration remained fully digital, ensuring timely and high-quality processing. In April alone, Hanoi welcomed 2,634 new enterprises with total registered capital of 24.4 trillion VND (over 939.9 million USD), while 967 firms resumed operations, up 19.4% from the previous month. Meanwhile, 2,221 businesses temporarily suspended activities, and 343 were dissolved. FDI attraction maintained strong momentum. The city lured 64.1 million USD in April through 33 newly licensed projects, 11 capital-adjustment projects, and 23 instances of capital contributions or share purchases by foreign investors. Total FDI poured into Hanoi during the first four months hit 1.48 billion USD, up 31% year-on-year, comprising 114 new projects (41 million USD), 45 capital-raising projects (almost 1.2 billion USD), and 111 capital contributions or share purchases (241 million USD). Retail and consumer services continued to expand. April’s total retail and service revenue reached 76.8 trillion VND, a 2.1% monthly and 13.1% annual rise. This included 49 trillion VND in retail sales, 10.4 trillion VND from accommodation and food services, 2.7 trillion VND from tourism, and 14.7 trillion VND from other services. The four-month figure stood at 303.5 trillion VND, up 13.4% year-on-year. Of this, retail sales posted 194.4 trillion VND to make up 64.1%, while accommodation and food 40.1 trillion VND, tourism 10.2 trillion VND, and other services 58.8 trillion VND, statistics show. To sustain this momentum, Hanoi is intensifying administrative reforms, enhancing digital public services for business and investment procedures, and addressing obstacles faced by investors. The capital is also advancing digital transformation to foster a transparent, accessible, and investor-friendly environment, while boosting regional connectivity and investment promotion abroad./.