The National Statistics Office under the Ministry of Finance published the nine-month figures on 7 October 2026. I read them the way a trader reads a chart: not the headline, but what moved underneath. Here's what changed, and what it means if you're thinking of a market-research trip to Vietnam.
How much FDI did Vietnam attract in the first nine months of 2026?
$50.36 billion in registered foreign direct investment from January to September 2026, up 76.4% year on year. That includes $29.24 billion in 3,108 new projects, $14.15 billion added to existing projects and $6.97 billion in share purchases and capital contributions.
| Measure (Jan–Sep 2026) | Value | Change y/y |
|---|---|---|
| Total registered FDI | $50.36 bn | +76.4% |
| New projects | $29.24 bn · 3,108 projects | 2.4× capital |
| Capital added to existing projects | $14.15 bn · 948 projects | +25.1% |
| Share purchases and contributions | $6.97 bn · 2,335 deals | +44% |
| Disbursed (money actually spent) | $21.07 bn | +12.1% |
Source: National Statistics Office, Ministry of Finance, as reported by Vietnam Investment Review on 7 October 2026.
Is the money actually arriving, or only promised?
Both, at different speeds. Registered capital is a commitment; disbursed capital is money spent on the ground. Disbursement reached $21.07 billion, up 12.1% and the highest nine-month level in five years, so projects are being built, not only signed.
The gap between the two numbers is normal: a factory registered this year is paid for over several years. For a visitor, disbursement is the more useful signal, because it tells you where cranes, hiring and supplier demand are right now.
Which sectors and countries are leading?
Manufacturing and processing dominate, taking $17.40 billion, or 82.6%, of disbursed FDI. Among new commitments, Singapore led with $9.26 billion, followed by South Korea with $5.70 billion and Luxembourg with $4.99 billion.
| Source of new capital | Jan–Sep 2026 | Share |
|---|---|---|
| Singapore | $9.26 bn | 31.7% |
| South Korea | $5.70 bn | 19.5% |
| Luxembourg | $4.99 bn | 17.1% |
| Hong Kong | $3.01 bn | 10.3% |
| China | $2.27 bn | 7.8% |
| Japan | $1.56 bn | 5.3% |
Transport and storage was the second-largest sector for new projects at $5.14 billion, and real estate the second-largest once capital increases are counted. Share purchases leaned toward professional services and trade. In plain terms: factories, logistics and the services around them.
What does this mean if I'm planning a market-research trip?
It means the useful conversations are happening in industrial parks, ports and supplier offices, not only in city-centre meeting rooms. Plan your trip around two or three site visits, a few company introductions and a session with licensed legal and tax advisers.
- Pick the right hub. Ho Chi Minh City and its industrial belt (including former Binh Duong, now part of the city) for manufacturing and logistics; Hanoi and the north for electronics; Da Nang for tech, tourism and the new financial centre. Our Ho Chi Minh City business trip guide covers the south in detail.
- Give each site visit its own half-day. Parks are one to one and a half hours from city centres by car.
- Meet the people already there. Chambers of commerce and companies from your own country are often the most candid source.
- Learn the room before you enter it. Read Vietnam business etiquette before the first meeting.
How does Green Candle Journeys help on a market visit?
We plan and run the trip: flights and hotels, a car and driver for the whole visit, an interpreter in the room, requested company introductions, industrial-park and site visits, and introductions to licensed legal and tax advisers. We don't give investment advice, and meetings are requested, never guaranteed.
| You bring | We arrange |
|---|---|
| Your sector and what you want to learn | A written day-by-day plan and price within 48 hours |
| The companies or types of partner you'd like to meet | Meeting requests, scheduling and confirmations |
| Questions for site visits | Park and factory visits, with a car and driver all day |
| Legal or tax questions | Introductions to licensed Vietnamese advisers |
| Time for the country itself | A weekend in Phu Quoc, Hoi An or Ha Long Bay, if you want one |
If you also trade, we plan meetings before 14:00 so the London session (15:00 Vietnam time) and New York (20:00) stay free; see our forex hours in Vietnam guide.
When is the best time for a market visit?
March to May or mid-September to early December, avoiding about two weeks either side of Tet (6 February 2027), when offices close. The south is driest from December to April, which helps for site visits.
Ho Chi Minh City's new Long Thanh International Airport is due to start commercial flights in late December 2026, according to recent reports. The date has moved before, so check your airport when you book. The full calendar is in our best time to visit Vietnam guide.
FAQ
How much FDI did Vietnam receive in 2026 so far?
From January to September 2026, registered FDI reached $50.36 billion, up 76.4% year on year, and disbursed FDI reached $21.07 billion, up 12.1%, according to the National Statistics Office.
Which country invests most in Vietnam in 2026?
Singapore led new registered capital in the first nine months of 2026 with $9.26 billion, followed by South Korea with $5.70 billion and Luxembourg with $4.99 billion.
Which sector gets most FDI in Vietnam?
Manufacturing and processing. It took $17.40 billion, or 82.6%, of disbursed FDI in the first nine months of 2026, and 45.8% of new registered capital.
What is the difference between registered and disbursed FDI?
Registered FDI is capital committed in investment licences. Disbursed FDI is money actually spent on projects. Disbursement is lower and slower, but it shows where building and hiring are happening now.
Can you arrange meetings with Vietnamese companies?
We request introductions and coordinate meetings, site visits, cars and interpreters. Meetings are requested, not guaranteed, and we do not give investment, legal or tax advice; we introduce you to licensed professionals for that.
The bottom line
Vietnam's 2026 numbers say capital is still choosing it, mostly for factories and logistics, and the money is being spent, not only pledged. The best way to judge that for yourself is a short, well-planned visit: two or three site visits, the right introductions and a licensed adviser.
Sources: Vietnam Investment Review, 7 Oct 2026; Viet Nam News. Next: the FTSE emerging-market upgrade and the new international financial centre.