HCM CITY DRAWS OVER $2.86B IN IZ INVESTMENT DURING 2020–25

Fifteen hi-tech projects, accounting for 6 per cent of the new projects, have a combined investment of nearly US$860 million, representing 44.17 per cent of the total newly registered capital.

At an FDI company in HCM City. — VNA/VNS Photo

HCM CITY — Investment inflows into export processing and industrial zones (IZs) in HCM City have surpassed US$2.86 billion during the 2020–25 period, equivalent to 114.6 per cent of the initial $2.5 billion target, according to the HCM City Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (HEPZA).

Of the total, foreign investment has exceeded $935.3 million, including 75 newly licensed projects with over $334.3 million in capital. Domestic investment reached over VNĐ45.4 trillion (roughly $1.9 billion), including 202 new projects worth nearly VNĐ37.9 trillion.

Lê Văn Thinh, head of HEPZA, said on Monday that the period has seen a clear shift toward high-tech and value-added sectors such as software, telecommunications, electronics, pharmaceuticals, precision mechanics, and electrical equipment.

Notably, 15 hi-tech projects (6 per cent of the new projects) have combined investment of $859.87 million, or 44.17 per cent of the total newly registered capital.

The influx of new projects has also created over 26,000 new jobs, bringing total employment in the zones to more than 257,700.

On average, over 85 per cent of workers have undergone formal training, and many companies now maintain university-level qualification rates exceeding 90 per cent among employees, Thinh added.

Efforts to support start-ups and key product development focuse on rubber – plastic, mechanics – automation, and food processing sectors. Land is being prioritised for hi-tech and environmentally friendly projects, with plans to establish specialised industrial zones dedicated to these industries.

Under the city's development master plan for 2021–30, with a vision to 2050, the current 23 export processing and industrial zones covering 5,900 ha will be maintained. An additional 2,465 ha is earmarked for 10 new IZs, bringing the total area to 8,369 ha across 33 zones.

To further attract investment, HEPZA has overhauled its management model, strengthened the "single-window" administrative framework, and cut administrative processing times by 30 per cent through streamlining its organisational structure and workforce. — VNS

Source: VNS

Related News

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

VIETNAM EXPANDS INLAND CONTAINER DEPOT NETWORK TO 19

The two newly added ICDs are Cai Mep in HCMC and Tan Cang-Moc Bai (phase one) in Tay Ninh Province. Cai Mep ICD, located in Cai Mep Industrial Park in Tan Phuoc Ward, HCMC and developed by Cai Mep International Logistics JSC, covers 9.15 hectares and has an annual handling capacity of about 133,000 TEUs, according to the Government news site (baochinhphu.vn).

Apr 09, 2026

BANKING / FINANCE / INSURANCE / TAX

HCMC CREDIT UP 1.5% IN Q1

Outstanding loans in the city reached an estimated VND5.28 quadrillion, up 0.77% from the previous month and 16.25% year-on-year, data from the State Bank of Vietnam’s Regional Branch 2 showed. Vietnam dong loans accounted for 96.1% of total credit and rose 1.46% from the end of 2025. Medium- and long-term lending made up 55% of total outstanding loans and increased 3.22%.

Apr 09, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

HCMC TO ESTABLISH CULTURAL INDUSTRY DEVELOPMENT FUND

The HCMC People’s Committee has tasked relevant departments with establishing a cultural industry development fund and developing a 150-hectare film studio complex. The move follows an instruction by HCMC Party Committee Secretary Tran Luu Quang. The city’s cultural industry development fund will be structured under a venture capital model.

Apr 09, 2026

HR / LABOUR/ EMPLOYMENT

EMPLOYEES’ AVERAGE INCOME INCREASES

Average monthly income of workers in the first quarter reached VND9 million, up 3.8% from the previous quarter and 8.5% from a year earlier, according to the National Statistics Office. Male workers earned an average of VND10.1 million per month, compared with VND7.7 million for female workers. In urban areas, average income reached VND10.7 million per month, while in rural areas it was VND7.9 million.

Apr 09, 2026

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

HCMC KICKS OFF OVER 10 PROJECTS DURING APRIL

Work will start on major projects in transportation, urban development and logistics sectors in HCMC this month, coinciding with Vietnam’s Reunification Day, April 30. They include the N3 ramp at the An Phu interchange with an investment of VND3.4 trillion and the 1.69-hectare Tan Chanh Hiep Park. In addition to these, seven other projects are slated to break ground within the month, including the Ho Tram – Long Thanh airport urban expressway, the Nha Rong – Khanh Hoi port area and the Ho Chi Minh Museum expansion.

Apr 09, 2026

HOSPITALITY / TOURISM / ENTERTAINMENT

VIETNAM’S Q1 FOREIGN TOURIST ARRIVALS HIT RECORD HIGH

Vietnam welcomed nearly 2.1 million international visitors in March, bringing first quarter foreign tourist arrivals to 6.76 million, up 12.4% year-on-year and marking a record high for the period, the national authority for tourism said. Air travel accounted for 82.3% of international arrivals, followed by land at 15.5% and sea at 2.2%, according to the Vietnam National Authority of Tourism.

Apr 09, 2026