Vietnam's FDI exceeds 38 billion USD, import-export sets new milestone in 2025

2025 ended with many important milestones in attracting foreign direct investment (FDI) and international trade activities of Vietnam.

Total registered FDI capital exceeded 38 billion USD, the realized capital reached the highest level in 5 years, while import-export turnover approached the 930 billion USD mark, reflecting the resilience of the manufacturing-export sector and the increasingly clear role of FDI in economic growth and international integration.

FDI in 2025 maintains growth momentum, highest realized capital in 5 years

According to the statistics compiled by the Statistics Office, by the end of December 2025, the total registered foreign direct investment capital in Vietnam reached about 38.42 billion USD. Capital flows continue to be supplemented through all three channels: Newly granted projects, adjusted capital increase and capital contribution, share purchase, reflecting the stable interest of foreign investors in the domestic business environment.

Notably, FDI capital implemented in 2025 is estimated to reach about 27.6 billion USD, an increase of nearly 9% compared to the previous year and the highest level in 5 years. This result shows that the capital absorption capacity of the economy continues to improve, and at the same time reflects that many FDI projects have entered the practical implementation stage, contributing directly to production and growth.

In terms of sector, the processing and manufacturing industry is still the main destination for FDI capital flows, accounting for the largest proportion of total realized capital. This structure is in line with the orientation of attracting investment associated with production, export and participating more deeply in Vietnam's global supply chain.

Import and export in 2025 approaches 930 billion USD, maintaining a strong export base

Along with FDI capital flows, Vietnam's commodity trade activities in 2025 continue to record a new record. According to the Customs Department, the total import-export turnover for the whole year reached about 930 billion USD, a sharp increase compared to 2024 and is among the highest ever.

Of which, export turnover is estimated at over 470 billion USD, an increase of about 1517%, showing that the recovery and expansion of the export market continues to be maintained. Imports reached more than 450 billion USD, mainly serving the demand for raw materials and components for domestic production, reflecting the dynamism of the production and business sector.

The trade balance continues to maintain a trade surplus of about 2021 billion USD, marking many consecutive years of Vietnam maintaining a trade surplus state. Export structure focuses on key industries such as electronics, machinery, textiles, footwear, wood furniture; while major markets such as the United States, the European Union, China and South Korea continue to play an important role, contributing to market diversification and risk-off in the context of much fluctuation in global trade.

The role of FDI in the context of improving growth quality

Statistics show that the FDI enterprise sector will continue to account for about 7072% of Vietnam's total import-export turnover in 2025.

Along with positive results, experts say that in the coming period, it is necessary to continue to focus on shifting from attracting FDI on a large scale to improving the quality of capital flows. The focus includes encouraging projects with high technology content, increasing the localization rate, strengthening linkages with domestic enterprises and creating more skilled jobs for workers.

Vietnam's implementation of new policies such as global minimum tax, promoting administrative procedure reform and investment to improve infrastructure quality is expected to contribute to screening and attracting FDI capital flows more effectively in the coming time, while ensuring harmonious benefits between the State, investors and workers.

Overall, 2025 marks the stability and durability of FDI capital flows, along with a new record for import and export. The results achieved not only strengthen the confidence of foreign investors in the Vietnamese business environment, but also create an important foundation for the economy to enter a new stage of development - attracting FDI with more selection, closely linking investment, trade and long-term growth quality.

In the context of many uncertainties in the world economy, the results achieved in 2025 create an important foundation for Vietnam to enter a new development stage, with the goal of attracting more selective FDI and improving growth quality, more closely linking investment, trade and long-term benefits of the economy.

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