During the past 11 months of 2025, FDI inflows recorded strong growth in Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Tay Ninh provinces, supported by expanded development space following recent administrative mergers.

Ho Chi Minh City attracted US$7.67 billion in FDI during the reviewed period, up 24.2% year on year. The city hosted working sessions with 55 domestic and foreign investor delegations seeking cooperation opportunities. Several multinational groups have chosen the city for expansion, including Techtronic Industries, which is accelerating plans to scale up production at its Milwaukee plant in the Hi-Tech Park, and AEON, which plans to invest in three additional large shopping malls.

In the high-tech segment, Smart Tech Group has proposed a battery energy storage plant with investment ranging from US$340 million to US$850 million. Data centre projects have also drawn interest from major players such as Eaton, Evolution (a Warburg Pincus portfolio company) and Hyosung.

In Dong Nai, FDI inflows also saw a strong pickup. According to provincial data, total foreign investment hit US$2.95 billion during the 11-month period.

Investment into industrial parks alone amounted to US$2.5 billion, exceeding the annual target by 32%. By mid-November 2025, disbursed FDI in industrial parks and economic zones surpassed US$1.6 billion, outpacing the planned level of US$1.5 billion and supporting the province’s goal of double-digit economic growth.

Outside industrial parks, Dong Nai attracted several large-scale projects, notably Aeon Mall Bien Hoa, developed by the AEON Group, with total investment exceeding VND6 trillion.

Tay Ninh also reported positive results. During the past 11 months, the province granted licences to 163 new projects and approved capital adjustments for 151 projects, bringing total newly registered and adjusted investment to US$589.4 million, up US$111.9 million from a year earlier. The province has intensified investment promotion efforts while maintaining a selective approach, prioritising high-tech, energy-efficient and environmentally friendly projects.

Infrastructure projects strengthen FDI outlook

FDI prospects in the southern region are expected to strengthen further as major infrastructure projects come on stream. On December 19, Long Thanh International Airport welcomed its first flight and is scheduled to begin commercial operations in the first half of 2026.

Once operational, the airport is poised to shorten global connectivity times, reduce logistics costs and enhance export-import capacity, making Dong Nai and surrounding areas more attractive to multinational manufacturers, logistics firms and regional headquarters.

Complementing the airport, Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 3, spanning 76.3 kilometres, is scheduled to open its first phase in June 2026, linking industrial parks and seaports across Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Tay Ninh. The Ben Luc–Long Thanh Expressway is projected to be fully finalized by September 2026, shortening transport routes from the Mekong Delta to the Cai Mep–Thi Vai port complex and Long Thanh Airport, thereby cutting logistics costs for exporters.

Alongside transport infrastructure, free trade zone projects in Cai Mep Ha (Ho Chi Minh City) and Dong Nai are under preparation and are expected to emerge as new magnets for strategic FDI. Dong Nai is also drafting a free trade zone proposal, combined with streamlined investment procedures and a one-stop-shop model, to improve the business environment and enhance its appeal to domestic and foreign investors.

With a pipeline of strategic infrastructure projects nearing completion, inter-regional connectivity in the southern key economic region is steadily taking shape. Apart from providing a physical infrastructure boost, these developments are expanding development space, enhancing competitiveness and positioning the region to attract higher-quality FDI in the coming period.

Rising FDI strengthens Vietnam’s position among emerging IFM markets

Foreign direct investment (FDI) disbursement in Vietnam has reached its highest level in five years, creating fresh momentum for the country’s integrated facilities management (IFM) market and positioning Vietnam as a standout performer among emerging IFM destinations, according to experts from Savills Vietnam.