According to figures from the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI), in the first eight months of this year, 75 new overseas projects from Vietnam were granted investment certificates, with a total capital of $147.3 million, down 64.6 per cent  compared to the same period last year.

In terms of the sectors, Vietnamese investors have invested overseas in 14 sectors, with the mining sector leading the way with $58.6 million, accounting for 39.8 per cent of Vietnam’s total overseas investment. The processing and manufacturing sector ranked second with $29.1 million, accounting for 19.7 per cent.

The wholesale and retail sector received $24.7 million, accounting for 16.8 per cent of the total investment. Professional, scientific, and technological activities reached $20 million, accounting for 13.6 per cent. Other sectors include services, and the production and distribution of electricity, and gas.

In terms of investment destinations, Vietnam has invested in 25 countries and territories over the past eight months. Notably, Vietnamese businesses have expanded investments into new markets such as the U.S., the Netherlands, and Europe. The Netherlands led with $54.6 million, accounting for 37.1 per cent of the total investment, followed by Laos with $37.8 million (25.7 per cent); the United Kingdom with $19.8 million (13.4 per cent); and the United States with $18.6 million (12.7 per cent).

Overall, Vietnam’s overseas investment in the first eight months has shown signs of slowing down due to global economic difficulties and challenges.

So far, as of August 2024, Vietnam has had 1,757 valid overseas investment projects with a total capital of nearly $22.26 billion. Vietnam’s overseas investment is concentrated mostly in the mining sector with $7.02 billion, accounting for 31.5 per cent of total investment; agriculture, forestry, and fisheries with $3.46 billion (15.5 per cent); and information and communications with $2.83 billion (12.75 per cent).

The main destinations for Vietnamese investment include Laos, which has received $5.50 billion from Vietnam ( accounting for 24.7 per cent of total Vietnam’s oversea investment), and Cambodia with $2.92 billion (accounting for 13.11 per cent).