Hanoi (VNA) - Following cooperation agreements worth tens of billions of US dollars signed during Party General Secretary To Lam’s recent working visit to the US, American investment in Vietnam is accelerating, particularly across the southern economic region.
While attending the inaugural meeting of the Gaza Board of Peace in the US, General Secretary Lam witnessed the signing of cooperation agreements in science and technology, digital transformation, aviation, and healthcare worth a combined 37.2 billion USD. The deals reflect growing economic trust between the two countries and open new opportunities for businesses on both sides.
Since 2025, US enterprises have increasingly explored investment opportunities across provinces in the Southern Key Economic Region.
Ho Chi Minh City has emerged as a leading destination, highlighted by multiple cooperation agreements concluded in late 2025. The University of Economics Ho Chi Minh City signed a memorandum of understanding with the New York Institute of Finance to implement internationally standardised finance and investment training programmes supporting the city’s goal of building an international financial centre. The municipal Department of Finance also signed an MoU with the Nasdaq Stock Market to cooperate in developing Vietnam’s international financial centre.
Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Van Duoc has held working sessions with major US investors, including Warburg Pincus, Intel, and Marvell, regarding expansion plans in the city.
Jake Siewert, Global Head of Public Policy at Warburg Pincus, said Vietnam’s stable policies, dynamic business environment, and open governance were key factors attracting investment. The firm is cooperating with Becamex Corporation to develop a data centre project and participate in financial centre investments.
Additional proposals have come from US corporations such as Evolution and Eaton, which plan data centre projects at Saigon Hi-Tech Park, while Smart Tech Group has proposed an energy storage battery factory valued at 340–850 million USD.
Artificial intelligence giant NVIDIA is also accelarating the establishment of an R&D centre, develop AI human resources, and build high-performance computing infrastructure and an AI Centre of Excellence in Ho Chi Minh City. NVIDIA Vice President Keith Strier said the city possesses favourable conditions for AI development, supported by a strong talent pool and an existing technology and semiconductor ecosystem.
Beyond Ho Chi Minh City, neighbouring Dong Nai and Tay Ninh provinces are attracting growing US investor interest.
According to investment promotion representative in Washington, DC Le Thi Hai Van, Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai is drawing strong attention from US businesses, particularly logistics firms such as FedEx Express and DHL, which are preparing cargo facility plans linked to the airport’s future operations.
In Tay Ninh, US companies including PepsiCo, Coca-Cola, and Avery Dennison have expanded manufacturing investments. Suntory PepsiCo’s sixth factory — its largest in Asia — valued at over 300 million USD, is under construction at Huu Thanh Industrial Park and will operate using renewable and biomass energy alongside solar power to reduce emissions.
Foreign direct investment inflows into southern localities are expected to accelerate further as investment conditions improve and major infrastructure projects are completed.
Investors have noted clear improvements in Ho Chi Minh City’s business environment in 2025. Travis Mitchell, Executive Director of the American Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (AmCham), said administrative reforms and streamlined procedures have reduced business burdens and strengthened investor confidence.
Ho Chi Minh City alone eliminated 435 administrative procedures and simplified 441 others related to business activities. The launch of a Public Administrative Service Centre allows companies to submit applications through a single window, significantly reducing processing time and informal costs.
Dong Nai has also shortened investment licensing procedures to as little as 24 hours, demonstrating strong administrative reform efforts.
At the same time, southern localities are accelerating transport infrastructure development to capture the next wave of investment. Major projects scheduled for operation in 2026 include Long Thanh International Airport, Ho Chi Minh City's Ring Road No.3, and the Ben Luc – Long Thanh and Bien Hoa – Vung Tau expressways, which will enhance regional connectivity and reduce logistics costs.
Ho Chi Minh City plans to develop an additional 6,500–6,800 hectares of industrial land over the next five years, targeting 20–21 billion USD in FDI. Dong Nai is expanding several large industrial zones, while Tay Ninh still has nearly 1,400 hectares of cleared land ready for investors.
Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Nguyen Cong Vinh affirmed that the city prioritises investment in strategic sectors including the digital, green, circular, and knowledge economies.
“Ho Chi Minh City will continue improving the investment environment and removing bottlenecks to help US enterprises operate effectively,” he said./.
