VN bright spot in investment attraction in Southeast Asia

Vietnam – bright spot in investment attraction in SEA: Singaporean newspaper

Vietnam is a bright spot in foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction in Southeast Asia, said Sam Cheong Chwee, Executive Director and Head of United Overseas Bank (UOB) Group’s Foreign Direct Investment Advisory Unit at UOB.
Vietnam – bright spot in investment attraction in SEA: Singaporean newspaper ảnh 1(Illustrative photo: VNA)
Singapore (VNA) – Vietnam is abright spot in foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction in Southeast Asia,said Sam Cheong Chwee, Executive Director and Headof United Overseas Bank (UOB) Group’s Foreign Direct Investment Advisory Unitat UOB.

He made the remark in an article published by Singapore’s Lianhe Zaobao (United Morning) newspaper in its October 9 edition.

In the article, the expert noted that the FDIinflux into Vietnam has been on the rise in recent years, citing statistics ofthe United Nations Conference on Trade and Development (UNCTAD) which showedthat 16 billion USD worth of foreign investment was channelled into the countrylast year.

The expert also cited a recent report ofVietnam’s Ministry of Planning and Investment which said the country attracted morethan 18.4 billion USD in the first nine months of the year.

Sam Cheong Chwee stressed that economicand industrial growth will enhance Vietnam’s position as an important partnerand market in Southeast Asia.

The result is attributable to theVietnamese government’s efforts to bolster infrastructure at key economic andindustrial zones, he said, citing an example of the northern port city of HaiPhong which has been developed into a new economic centre in the north easternregion, thus drawing a large FDI amount into high technology agriculture.

Although FDI in the world has generallydeclined last year, Southeast Asian nations have turned against the trend.

Figures from the UNCTAD show that FDIinflows into the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) in 2018 reacheda record high of 149 billion USD, up 3 percent from the previous year. Meanwhile,global foreign investment fell by 13 percent in the period.

The expert explained young populationstructure is the foremost advantage which helps ASEAN countries successfullyattract investors’ attention.

ASEAN boasts a population of about 660million people, with more than half being under 30./.
VNA

See more

Thang Long II Industrial Park in Hung Yen province. (Photo: VNA)

Green industrial parks draw FDI to northern Vietnam

From 2026, the industrial real estate market in the northern region is forecast to enter a new growth phase as strategic infrastructure projects near completion, supply expands, and green industrial parks become a decisive factor for foreign direct investment (FDI).

Border guards from Thanh Hai Border Guard Station patrol fishing vessels entering Phu Hai port in Phu Thuy ward, Lam Dong province. (Photo: VNA)

Lam Dong orders swift action to address IUU fishing gaps

Vice Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Le Trong Yen has directed heads of relevant departments, sectors and localities to strictly implement directives and newly issued regulations on IUU prevention, while strengthening public awareness efforts so fishermen and businesses better understand and comply with the rules.

Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh speaks at the meeting to review the development strategy and operational framework for the international financial centre. (Photo: VNA)

Deputy PM urges early establishment of trading platforms at Int’l Financial Centre

Chairing a meeting in Hanoi on March 6 to review the development strategy and operational framework for the international financial centre, Binh acknowledged the progress made by relevant ministries and localities in a short period of time. However, he noted that current efforts have largely focused on building the organisational structure and legal framework.

Regza Vietnam Electronics Co., Ltd. (fully invested by Taiwan, China) installs four modern production lines in 2024. (Photo: VNA)

FDI disbursement in Jan–Feb reaches five-year high

The NSO noted that the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Singapore were the largest investors during the period, each registering over 1 billion USD in newly committed capital, accounting for a significant share of total foreign investment inflows into Vietnam.

Rising geopolitical tensions in the Middle East on Vietnam’s economy under the baseline scenario is expected to remain limited. (Photo: VNA)

Middle East tensions likely to have moderate impact on Vietnam’s economy: VinaCapital

According to Michael Kokalari, Director of Macroeconomic Analysis and Market Research at VinaCapital, the conflict is unlikely to significantly affect Vietnam. Exports to the Middle East account for less than 3% of Vietnam’s total export turnover, while the likelihood of a large-scale and prolonged ground campaign in Iran is considered relatively low.

VinFast has signed a strategic partnership with six electric motorbike dealers in Indonesia, marking a new step in expanding its distribution network in one of the region’s and the world’s largest motorcycle markets. (Photo: VNA)

VinFast partners with six e-scooter dealers in Indonesia

In preparation for the launch of its electric scooters in Q2/2026, VinFast has signed additional MoUs with six dealers, including PT. IB Motor, PT. Sentrik, PT. Axara Marani, PT. Sukses Sejati Indonesia, PT. Tangguh Inti Motor, and PT. Kiki Motor Persada. These partners are distributors with strong experience in key markets and share a common direction toward green mobility solutions.

Fishermen at Dong Tac fishing port in Phu Yen ward, Dak Lak province prepare to head back to sea after the storm (Photo: VNA)

Dak Lak reviews fishing vessel fleet, steps up fight against IUU fishing

Local authorities are focusing on managing registered fishing vessels and reviewing all records and data related to fishing, purchasing and processing seafood. Violations related to IUU fishing are being strictly handled under the principle of “facing the problem, not avoiding it”.

UK Ambassador to Vietnam Iain Frew addresses the event (Photo: nhandan.vn)

Vietnam, UK step up cooperation in derivatives commodity market development

The British Embassy in Vietnam and the British Consulate-General in Vietnam, in coordination with Boston Consulting Group (BCG), held a capacity-building session under the UK–Vietnam Growth Gateway initiative in Hanoi on March 5 to discuss strategies for developing a transparent and globally connected commodity and derivatives market.

The Quang Tri coastal road project, spanning nearly 55km, is among key projects with regional connectivity that play an important role in promoting socio-economic development in the central province of Quang Tri. The project is expected to be completed by the end of 2026.(Photo: VNA)

Public investment disbursement slow despite record capital scale

As of February 28, total disbursed capital reached 55.74 trillion VND, equivalent to 5.6% of the plan assigned by the Prime Minister. Of the figure, disbursement of the central budget was estimated at 10.18 trillion VND, or 2.9% of the plan, while that of local budgets totalled 45.56 trillion VND, reaching 7% of the target.