In 2025, Ho Chi Minh City continued to be Vietnam's premier destination for Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), attracting over $8.2 billion and securing numerous large-scale projects in finance, high technology, green transition, and logistics.
Mr. Nguyen Loc Ha, Permanent Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee, stated that throughout 2025, economic diplomacy became an increasingly vital channel for resolving bottlenecks, unlocking resources, and accelerating the city’s strategic projects.
As a result, the city maintained its position among the top-performing localities nationwide in FDI attraction. High-value projects were concentrated in key sectors including finance, high-tech, green transition, urban infrastructure, and logistics.
As of December 15, 2025, the total value of foreign investment into the city reached $8.214 billion. This brings the city’s cumulative total to 20,259 active foreign investment projects with a combined registered capital of nearly $142 billion, originating from 152 countries and territories.
Speaking at the Prime Minister’s online conference with ambassadors and heads of overseas Vietnamese representative missions on January 10, Mr. Ha proposed several key initiatives regarding the Autumn Economic Forum and the Vietnam International Financial Center (VIFC) in HCMC.
Regarding the Autumn Economic Forum, the City requested that the Government, the Prime Minister, and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs continue to provide guidance to maintain and elevate the event in the coming years. The goal is to gradually transform it into a regional forum integrated into the World Economic Forum (WEF) ecosystem.
Furthermore, the City proposed integrating the Autumn Economic Forum into the overall agenda of APEC 2027. Specifically, HCMC aims to host activities for the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC), such as the APEC CEO Summit. This move is intended to expand the forum’s scale, enhance its influence, and increase its diplomatic value.
For the Vietnam International Financial Center in HCMC, 2026 has been designated as the year for "foundation building and pilot operation." The City called on the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and overseas representative missions to enhance strategic connectivity with major global financial hubs. The focus will be on green finance, climate finance, green bonds, and green credit in accordance with international standards.
The City’s objective is to attract at least 20 major financial institutions, investment banks, long-term investment funds, and leading financial groups from the United States, Europe, and Asia during the initial phase.
At the same time, the City plans to expedite the implementation of long-term visas (up to 10 years) for international experts. It also seeks coordination to finalize the legal framework, dispute resolution mechanisms, and specialized court and arbitration models. These efforts aim to create a solid foundation for attracting capital inflows and driving the City’s economic growth.
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