Hồ Chí Minh City: A Strategic Destination For Next-Generation FDI | Vietnam Today

In the first quarter of 2026, Ho Chi Minh City recorded a surge in FDI with nearly 2.9 billion U.S. dollars, rising by about 220 percent year-on-year, showing that the city's investment appeal remains strong. And alongside the sharp increase in volume, changes in the quality of capital flows are also noteworthy. Investment is flowing into large projects in technology, finance, e-commerce, and manufacturing. At the same time, existing businesses are expanding through major capital injections, and share acquisitions worth billions of dollars. Investors have seen faster processing of investment licenses, clear guidance on land-related issues, and more consistent coordinations between departments. The second is the impact of Resolution 98 allowed Ho Chi Minh City to move ahead with projects that had been waiting for clear rules. Moreover, Ho Chi Minh City also claimed 11 places to rank the 84th out of 120 in the Global Financial Center Index, one of the best improvements among mid-sized financial centers, demonstrating the increasing position and attractiveness of Vietnam's leading economic engine. The IFC will serve as a very effective platform for forex risk hedging when counterparties can settle in foreign currencies directly. Businesses that are investing overseas will also enjoy significant convenience if the funds are raised from within the IFC. Amid global uncertainties, foreign investors expect Ho Chi Minh City to continue proving itself as a safe and stable investment destination through concrete actions. It's necessary to continue engaging with investors by actively listening to their concerns, responding thoughtfully and empathetically to the difficulties they encounter, and carefully reviewing and considering any policy-related requests they may raise. Many high-value projects in electronics, logistics, and data services depend on reliable energy so this cannot slip. Continued investment in training, digitalization, and innovation will help the city attract higher-value projects rather than compete on their own cost. FDI is no longer just numbers on paper, it's visible in every shipment container, in jobs, and in the city's evolving infrastructure. And you can see behind me a very busy line of trucks in and out of the port, and those massive containers carry high-tech components and the products of a green economy, key targets of next-generation FDI.