Vietnam Economic Times May, 11 2026

Dear readers,

Over the past 40 years, since the first Law on Foreign Investment in Vietnam was enacted on December 29, 1987, following the “Doi Moi” (Economic Renewal) policy initiated by the 6th National Congress of the Communist Party of Vietnam in December 1986, the foreign-invested economic sector has increasingly developed and clearly demonstrated its prominent role and position within the Vietnamese economy, making significant contributions to the country’s overall socio-economic development.

As of the end of April, there were 46,198 valid foreign investment projects in Vietnam, with total registered capital of over $542 billion. Disbursed capital stood at $355.652 billion, accounting for some 65.6 per cent of all valid registered investment capital.

The contributions made by the foreign-invested economic sector can be readily quantified, particularly in terms of growth and exports. On average, the annual contribution of the sector to GDP has continually increased, from 18.22 per cent during the 2011-2015 period to 21.06 per cent for 2016-2020 and then to 22.25 per cent in 2021-2023. In recent years, meanwhile, FDI enterprises have contributed over 70 per cent of the country’s annual export turnover.

Politburo Resolution No. 50-NQ/TW, dated August 20, 2019, on the direction to improve institutions and policies for and enhance the quality and efficiency of foreign investment cooperation by 2030, affirmed: “The foreign-invested economic sector is an important component of the Vietnamese economy, encouraged and facilitated for long-term development, cooperation, and healthy competition with other economic sectors. The State respects and protects the legitimate rights and interests of investors; ensures the harmonization of interests between the State, investors, and workers in enterprises.” The Resolution reflects Vietnam’s consistent and long-term policy in support of foreign investors’ stable and sustainable business in the country.

As an “important component of the Vietnamese economy,” the foreign-invested economic sector, along with the State-owned economic sector and the private economic sector, has formed a “three-legged” foundation for the country’s economy. In this framework, the combination between the three sectors is certain to create a stronger growth impetus in Vietnam’s new phase of development, under the direction outlined by the 14th Party Congress.

With that in mind, the 6th annual Vietnam Connect Forum (2026) will be held in Hanoi on May 13, with the theme “Building Integrated Partnerships Between Foreign-Invested and Domestic Economic Sectors for Breakthrough Growth in the New Era.” Under the content direction of the Central Commission for Policy and Strategy and co-hosted by the Vietnam Economic Association and Vietnam Economic Times / VnEconomy, the gathering will act as a “bridge” connecting domestic and foreign enterprises to share solutions for further enhancing their partnerships, supporting each other, and competing with each other in a healthy manner, for the common goal of creating synergistic strength to develop together and contribute even more effectively to the Vietnamese economy, aiming for double-digit growth each year during the 2026-2030 period.

As a companion of enterprises in Vietnam, including FDI enterprises, Vietnam Economic Times initiated the Golden Dragon Awards in 2001. Over the past 25 years, thousands of FDI enterprises that have made outstanding contributions to socio-economic development in the country have been honored at the annual Golden Dragon Awards ceremonies. In this year’s 25th edition, set for May 13, following the 6th Vietnam Connect Forum, the Top 50 outstanding FDI enterprises, selected by Vietnam Economic Times, will be announced.

My warmest congratulations go to the winners for their incredible achievements!

In honor of foreign-invested enterprises and their crucial contributions to Vietnam’s socio-economic development, our Cover Story in this double edition focuses on integrated partnerships between domestic and foreign enterprises, with an overview of 40 years of FDI in Vietnam, from the initial “red carpet” policy to the selective approach adopted nowadays to attract a new generation of FDI projects, with the focus shifting from high-volume, low-cost manufacturing to high-quality, sustainable investments, especially in the high-tech, green energy, R&D, and digital industries.

Warmest regards

Dr. CHU VAN LAM
CHAIRMAN OF THE EDITORIAL BOARD