Surge in Vietnamese Overseas Investment in 2025
Vietnamese companies have significantly increased their overseas investments in the first half of 2025, with total outflows surpassing $487 million. This represents a more than 3.5-fold increase compared to previous periods, according to reports from the Foreign Investment Agency under the Ministry of Finance.
The electricity production and distribution sector has emerged as the largest recipient of this capital, with over $111.2 million invested. This accounts for 22.8% of the total overseas investment. The growth in this sector highlights Vietnam’s strategic focus on securing reliable energy sources abroad, which is crucial for sustaining economic development.
Following the energy sector, the transportation and warehousing industry saw substantial investment, with nearly $78.5 million allocated. This represents 16.1% of the total. Meanwhile, the wholesale and retail sector ranked third, receiving $76.8 million or 15.8% of the overall investment. These figures indicate a growing interest in logistics and consumer markets as part of Vietnam’s global expansion strategy.
Key Investment Destinations
Laos continues to be the top destination for Vietnamese investment, with a registered investment of $150.3 million in the first half of 2025. This reflects the strong economic ties between Vietnam and its neighboring country, particularly in sectors such as infrastructure and trade.
The Philippines follows closely behind, with $61.8 million in investments, while Indonesia ranks third with nearly $60.5 million. These countries are seen as key partners for Vietnamese firms looking to diversify their operations and tap into new markets in Southeast Asia.
By the end of June 2025, Vietnam had 1,916 valid investment projects operating abroad, with total registered capital exceeding $23 billion. This demonstrates the scale and maturity of Vietnam’s overseas investment activities, which have expanded beyond traditional sectors into a wide range of industries.
Sectoral Distribution of Investments
Vietnamese investors have diversified their overseas investments across 18 out of 21 major economic sectors. The mining sector remains the most significant area of investment, attracting nearly $7.1 billion or 30.6% of the total. This reflects the country’s ongoing efforts to secure raw materials and natural resources for domestic industries.
The agro-forestry and fisheries sector came next, with over $3.4 billion in investments, accounting for 14.7% of the total. This highlights the importance of food security and sustainable resource management in Vietnam’s international investment strategy.
The information and communications sector also plays a critical role, with nearly $2.9 billion invested, representing 12.4% of the total. This sector has seen rapid growth due to the increasing demand for digital infrastructure and technology solutions globally.
Other notable areas of investment include manufacturing, construction, and services, each contributing to Vietnam’s broader economic ambitions. As the country continues to expand its global footprint, these investments are expected to play a vital role in shaping its future economic landscape.
