Figures from the Ministry of Planning and Investment show that as of September 20, total newly-registered capital, additional capital, capital contributions, and capital contributed to buy shares by foreign investors reached over $18.7 billion, or 84.7 per cent of the figure in the same period of 2021.

Some 1,355 new projects were granted investment certificates, up 11.8 per cent year-on-year, with total registered capital of $7.12 billion, down 43 per cent.

Although newly-registered capital has not recovered to pre-pandemic levels, additional capital and capital contributions and share purchases have increased. Total additional capital was over $8.3 billion, up 29.9 per cent, while total contributed capital was $3.28 billion, up 1.9 per cent.

In the first nine months, foreign investors invested in 18 of Vietnam’s 21 economic sectors. Processing and manufacturing continued to lead the way, with a total of over $12.1 billion and accounting for 64.6 per cent of total capital. Real estate followed, with over $3.5 billion, or 18.7 per cent of the total. Then came science and technology and wholesale and retail, with capital of $676.9 million and $617.9 million, respectively.

In terms of new project numbers, wholesale and retail, manufacturing and processing, and science and technology attracted the most, with 30 per cent, 25.7 per cent, and 15.9 per cent, respectively.

Ninety-seven countries and territories invested in Vietnam in the first nine months. Singapore led with investment of over $4.75 billion, or 25.3 per cent of the total, but down 24.3 per cent year-on-year.

South Korea ranked second, with over $3.8 billion, or 20.3 per cent but down 2.38 per cent. Japan was third, with over $1.9 billion, accounting for 10.2 per cent.

Ho Chi Minh City was the leading destination, with total investment of over $2.96 billion, accounting for 15.8 per cent of the total and increasing 26.2 per cent.

Following was southern Binh Duong province, with over $2.7 billion, accounting for 14.4 per cent and increasing over 58 per cent. Bac Ninh was third, with nearly $1.78 billion, accounting for 9.5 per cent and up 2.1-fold.