Of the total, US$14.3 billion came from newly registered projects, up 70.5%, and US$7.3 billion was worth of additional capital from 472 operational projects, up 30.8%.

FDI businesses also disbursed US$11.5 billion in 2013, representing a 9.9% rise over 2012.

The manufacturing and processing industries topped the FDI list, with 605 newly licensed projects and combined new and additional capital of US$16.64 billion, or 76.9% of the total value. 

Japan remained Vietnam’s biggest foreign investor, funnelling US$5.75 billion, or 26.6% of the total. It was closely followed by Singapore (US$4.38 billion) and the Republic of Korea (US$4.3 billion).

Thai Nguyen province in the north was Vietnam’s biggest FDI attractor, totalling US$3.4 billion. It was supported by a US$2 billion electronic product manufacturing and assembling plant invested by Samsung Electronics Vietnam (SEV).

 Thanh Hoa province in the north-central region came in second, with US$2.92 billion, and Haiphong port city in the north ranked third, drawing US$2.6 billion.

FDI businesses raked in US$88.5 billion from exports (including crude oil), a 22.4% year-on-year improvement, and making up 66.9% of the country’s total export value.

These businesses also enjoyed a trade surplus of nearly US$14 billion last year.