In implementing Resolution No. 50-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the orientation for perfecting institutions and policies, and improving the quality and effectiveness of foreign investment cooperation until 2030, Vietnam is strongly shifting from a mindset of attracting quantity to selective cooperation, prioritizing new generation FDI flows - those with high technological content, high added value, and closely linked to the requirements of sustainable development.
Remarkable Results, Strengthening Confidence
Amidst the continued complex fluctuations in the global economy, 2025 marks a significant milestone in Vietnam's foreign investment attraction. Actual FDI reached US$27.62 billion, a 9% increase year-on-year – the highest level in the 2021-2025 period. Registered capital exceeded US$38 billion, a 0.5% increase. This is vivid evidence of the growing confidence of international investors in Vietnam's business environment, legal framework, and development potential.
Regarding the geographical distribution of FDI capital, Ho Chi Minh City continues to lead with approximately US$7 billion; Bac Ninh reached nearly US$6 billion; Hanoi reached approximately US$4.5 billion; Dong Nai reached US$4.3 billion; and Hai Phong reached US$3.8 billion – ranking 5th nationwide. These figures not only reflect the advantages of infrastructure and geographical location but also highlight the urgent need to continuously improve standards if we want to retain and expand investment chains in the coming period.
Green industrial park infrastructure - a strategic competitive advantage
According to economic experts, the FDI trend in 2026 and subsequent years will focus on high-quality capital flows with strong spillovers and technological impact. Notably, about 80% of FDI enterprises prioritize investing in industrial parks equipped with green energy infrastructure. This is not simply a trend, but a decisive criterion in the investment location selection strategy of multinational corporations.
Representatives of the Vietnam Energy Association predict that by 2030, the demand for electricity from renewable energy in industrial parks could account for 25-30% of the total industrial load. Beyond the need for clean electricity, businesses are also requiring Energy Attribute Certificates (EACs) to support sustainable development reporting and emission inventories according to international standards.
Mr. Nguyen Duc Hien, Deputy Head of the Central Policy and Strategy Committee, shared that industrial parks are currently the destination for the majority of foreign investment. By the end of 2025, the country will have over 500 industrial parks established with a total planned area of 145,000 hectares; the average occupancy rate in operating industrial parks is over 75%. Industrial parks currently account for about 35-40% of the total additional FDI capital registered, and in the processing and manufacturing industry, this proportion reaches 70-80%. This is the core force in the national investment attraction structure.
Transforming the Model - From "Attracting" to "Creating an Ecosystem"
In practice, the needs of the new generation of FDI enterprises are increasingly high and specific. They are not only looking for production space but also need a complete investment ecosystem: ready-built factories, quick and efficient legal support, access to green capital, use of renewable energy, and participation in industrial symbiosis models to optimize raw materials, waste, and energy. The core value of an industrial park, therefore, lies not in the leased land area but in its ability to create a sustainable development environment for investors.
This trend is prompting many industrial park developers to shift to an integrated ecological industrial park model with three pillars: smart, green, and circular infrastructure; a comprehensive investment and operation support ecosystem; and a sustainable production space linked to the value chain.
This transformation also aligns with the pressure multinational corporations are facing from shareholders and consumers regarding ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) commitments. Today's production sites need to meet requirements for renewable energy supply, circular waste treatment systems, and transparent governance – these are indispensable conditions, not optional advantages.
Key Solutions for the Next Phase
To realize the goal of attracting high-quality FDI, all levels, sectors, and localities need to focus on implementing the following groups of solutions:
First, comprehensively upgrade industrial park infrastructure towards green, smart, and circular approaches. Industrial parks must provide a complete "operational package" including green electricity, internationally standardized environmental treatment systems, modern logistics, digital infrastructure, and specialized technical services.
Second, train human resources according to specific needs, strengthening linkages between training institutions, businesses, and industry associations; Standardizing industrial labor skills is a mandatory condition to meet the increasingly high demands of investors.
Thirdly, shift from attracting individual projects to building supply chain clusters. The goal is not just one project, but an entire interconnected ecosystem. To achieve this, enhance the capacity of domestic businesses and establish a systematic and effective supply-demand connection mechanism.
Fourthly, significantly improve the legal environment and administrative procedures. This requires not only speed but also stability, consistency, and predictability. Investors need assurance that policies will not change abruptly and that obstacles will be addressed systematically and in a thematic manner.
The development process demands that when localities and industrial parks standardize green infrastructure and demonstrate their unique competitive advantages and capabilities, new-generation FDI enterprises will not only come but also stay, expand investment, and contribute to building a rapidly and sustainably developing Vietnamese economy in the new era.