HCMC LOOKS TO LURE US$11 BILLION IN FDI FOR 2026

Part of downtown HCMC: The city targets to attract high-quality foreign-invested projects, especially in technology and finance sectors. PHOTO: LE VU

HCMC – The government of HCMC has set an ambitious foreign direct investment (FDI) target of US$11 billion for 2026, focusing on high-tech industries, logistics, and international financial-commercial centers.

To reach the milestone – a significant jump from US$8.37 billion in 2025 – the city is adopting a selective high-quality approach. Priority is given to high-tech and digital transformation with semiconductor, AI, and data centers; logistics and finance with the Vietnam International Financial Center in HCMC and the Cai Mep Ha Free Trade Zone and smart infrastructure with transitioning existing industrial parks into eco-smart models.

HCMC is also implementing a tailor-made approach by establishing specialized task forces to work directly with global tech giants and strategic investors apart from drastic administrative reforms, aiming to cut processing times and compliance costs by 50%.

In addition, there are some positive signals for such ambition. In February, G42 Group (UAE), in partnership with domestic investors, signed a framework agreement to develop a massive data center system in Vietnam with a projected investment of US$2 billion. This strategic project aims to establish an international-standard digital platform for the public sector and global enterprises. A U.S.-based investor is finalizing a similar US$2-bil. data center project.

The Vietnam News Agency quoted Nguyen Van Duoc, chairman of HCMC People’s Committee, as saying that these investors have committed to disbursing 60% of the total capital as early as second quarter 2026.

In the first two months of this year, the city secured nearly US$980 million in FDI and foreign indirect investment (FII), up 28.4% year-on-year. The city granted new investment certificates to 286 projects, while 59 existing projects expanded their operations with a net capital increase of US$480.6 million.

HCMC has so far been the national leader in FDI, boasting 20,756 active projects with total capital of US$142.9 billion

Source: The Saigon Times