Foreign investment attraction flourishes on better business climate

The northern localities of Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, and Hai Phong attracted substantial foreign investments in the first quarter of 2025, including those from world-leading economic conglomerates with advanced and environmentally-friendly technologies.

korean-invested-firm-at-yen-phong-industrial-park.jpg
Workers at an FDI firm in Yen Phong Industrial Park, Bac Ninh province. (Photo: VNA)

Hanoi (VNA) – With an unwavering effort to improve the business environment, the northern localities of Bac Ninh, Ha Nam, and Hai Phong continued to attract substantial foreign investments in the first quarter of 2025, including those from world-leading economic conglomerates with advanced and environmentally-friendly technologies.

FDI capital surges

On the first working day of 2025, Bac Ninh province granted investment registration certificates and investment approval decisions to 18 domestic and foreign enterprises, with a total registered capital of 1.8 billion USD. Of the total, foreign direct investment (FDI) reached 1.67 billion USD, fulfilling the province's yearly target.

According to Director of the provincial Department of Finance Nguyen Viet Hung, from the outset of the year, the locality’s FDI attraction has increased 3.9 times in newly registered and additional capital compared to the same period in 2024, keeping Bac Ninh at the forefront of FDI attraction nationwide.

The province has persistently adhered to attracting FDI projects based on the criteria of low land and labour use; high investment rate, high technology, and high economic efficiency; readiness in high-quality human resources, administrative reform, and solving difficulties; and no environmental pollution.

As for Hai Phong, some 4.9 billion USD in FDI capital was secured last year, up 1.3 times year-on-year, making the port city the second most attractive FDI destination. The city has set a target of luring 4.5 billion USD in FDI this year.

Director of the Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority Le Trung Kien reported that since the beginning of the year, the city has enhanced investment promotion in countries with strengths in high-tech industrial development as well as leading global corporations in the domains of electricity, electronics, and semiconductor chips.

Multiple cooperation agreements, memoranda of understanding, and investment commitments in existing industrial parks, the southern coastal economic zone, and shaping industrial parks, have been signed, opening positive prospects in the near future. In the first two months of 2025, the city attracted 278 million USD in FDI, bringing the total figure to 34.31 billion USD. Hai Phong is home to over 1,000 FDI projects from 42 countries and territories, contributing more than 86% of its total export value.

vsiphaiphong.jpg
At JFE Shoji Steel Hai Phong Co., Ltd, a Japanese-invested firm in the Vietnam - Singapore Industrial Park. (Photo: VNA)

General Director of Pegatron Vietnam Co., Ltd. Chen Chi Liang said a consistently safe social and business-investment environment is the prerequisite for companies to unceasingly invest in finance, technology and equipment while expanding production scale in Hai Phong city. He added that after five years of operation, from a 275,000 sq.m factory producing electronic components and semiconductors, the firm has put into use two additional workshops exceeding 384,000 sq.m and two more buildings with an area of over 515,000 sq.m for further production expansion.

In the meantime, Ha Nam province is now working to deliver on its target of attracting 1 billion USD in FDI capital, with 50% of the amount already secured in the first quarter, marking an auspicious beginning towards exceeding the goal. With a vision of developing industrial parks integrated with urban areas and services, and prioritising high-tech, environmentally friendly industries, the province continues to select investors with strong reputation and economic potential.

The province has recently received approval from the Prime Minister to establish a 663-hectare high-tech park in Ly Nhan district. It has invested in roads connecting the facility with the Hanoi-Hai Phong and Cau Gie-Ninh Binh expressways.

Expanding infrastructure to welcome major investors

The localities’ leaders have provided substantive and effective support to promote the development of the FDI business sector.

Secretary of the Hai Phong Party Committee Le Tien Chau emphasised that the city is striving to achieve an economic growth rate of 12.5%, contributing the country’s overall growth target of 8% of higher.

Hai Phong is now focusing on developing new economic growth drivers, with the 20,000-hectare southern coastal economic zone, envisioned as a green, multi-sector economic zone meeting international standard. Boasting development pillars in high-tech industry, modern logistics services, smart urban areas, eco-tourism, and new-generation free trade zones, this emerging establishment will enable Hai Phong to pilot new mechanisms and policies, creating an open and favourable investment environment to attract both domestic and foreign resources.

With a determination to concretise the double-digit economic growth target in 2025, Bac Ninh province will continue to strengthen foreign relations and proactively promote investment in potential markets through the end of the year.

Encouraging investment resources in industries and services, with a focus on those with great potential, the province will work with major FDI investors to increase occupancy rates in industrial zones and clusters, ensuring infrastructure readiness for large investment projects.

In Ha Nam province, the local administration has directed infrastructure development and human resources readiness to attract large investment projects. Secretary of the provincial People's Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Truong Quoc Huy ordered departments and sectors to remove bottlenecks for enterprises in a timely manner, particularly site clearance and administrative reform./.

VNA

See more

Delegates at the Vietnam-UK High-Level Conference 2026. (Photo: moit.gov.vn)

Vietnam, UK seek new growth drivers in technology, logistics

British Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew highlighted the importance of strengthening bilateral cooperation as Vietnam - UK relations have been upgraded to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. He said technology, finance, innovation and digital transformation are opening up new opportunities for cooperation, enabling businesses from both countries to connect, share experience and explore investment and business opportunities.

The Ngoc Hoi interchange project in Tay Nha Trang ward, Khanh Hoa province, with some items yet to be completed (Illustrative photo: VNA)

Over 60% of long-stalled projects have obstacles resolved

Of the 8,002 long-stalled projects, 4,938 completed the settlement of obstacles in line with conclusions of the Party Central Committee and resolutions of the National Assembly and Government, as well as relevant Government decrees and guiding documents as of July 20, up 564 projects from the previous month.

The Vietnam National Railway Group will operate as a multi-sector economic group, with its business portfolio expanded to 110 sectors. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam Railways Corporation becomes Vietnam National Railway Group

The group inherits all rights, obligations and responsibilities of the Vietnam Railways Corporation in accordance with the laws on railways, enterprises, and management and investment of state capital in enterprises, and other relevant legal provisions, as well as existing agreements, documents and contracts signed with related parties in accordance with the law.

Coffee production process at Ngon Avatar Co., Ltd. meets the requirements for official exports to New Zealand and several European markets. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam, New Zealand seek new impetus for trade ties

The state visit to New Zealand by General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam (CPV) Central Committee and President To Lam is expected to provide fresh impetus for market opening, removal of trade barriers and stronger economic links following the elevation of bilateral relations to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership in February 2025.

A road in Ho Chi Minh City. (Photo: VNA)

Ho Chi Minh City to integrate IoT into smart transport infrastructure

To promote IoT application in smart transport, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Chairman has assigned the Department of Construction to lead the deployment of IoT in the construction, management, operation and maintenance of transport infrastructure. The department will also review and propose integrating IoT sensors and smart monitoring devices into transport construction, renovation and upgrading projects across the city.

Online promotion of lychee and other key agricultural and OCOP products from Bac Ninh province. (Photo: VNA)

Vietnam tightening e-commerce management

Amid the rapid expansion of online commerce, closely linked to consumption, exports, logistics, electronic payments and the digital economy, the legislation is expected to shape the sector’s sustainable future while ensuring a balance between State management, consumer rights and business interests.

At the 19th Ho Chi Minh City International Travel Expo (ITE HCMC 2025) (Photo: VNA)

ITE HCMC 2026 to connect Vietnam's tourism with the world

From its early editions in 2005-2010, which attracted around 210 exhibitors and 120 international buyers from 18 countries, ITE HCMC has grown significantly. This year's event is expected to feature more than 520 exhibitors and brands, 260 international buyers from over 40 countries and territories, and more than 21,000 pre-arranged B2B appointments.