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

Related News

MEMBER CORNER / PROMOTIONS

KNIC ENGAGES WITH GOVERNMENT AND HIGH-TECH BUSINESS COMMUNITIES IN CHINA

From Beijing to Shandong, KN Holdings and KN Industrial City are continuing to expand their engagement with government authorities, trade promotion organizations, and high-tech business communities in China. In Beijing, the delegation met with the Center for International Economic and Technological Cooperation under the Ministry of Industry and Information Technology (MIIT), exchanging perspectives on industrial and technology cooperation between the two markets.

Sep 24, 2026

VIETNAM ECONOMY INVESTMENT

VIETNAM’S TRADE TOPS $825 BILLION BY MID-SEPTEMBER

Figures released on September 21 showed goods trade reached nearly $55 billion in the first 15 days of September alone, bringing cumulative turnover since the beginning of the year to more than $825 billion. The strong growth reflects robust trade flows, with demand for consumer goods and production inputs remaining high.

Sep 23, 2026

TECHNOLOGY

VIỆT NAM'S BUSINESSES MOVE TOWARDS AI AGENTS

Việt Nam’s AI landscape is entering a new phase as businesses move beyond generative AI (GenAI) tools designed to assist human users towards autonomous AI, agentic AI and AI agents that can take action with limited supervision, experts have said. The shift comes as Việt Nam seeks to accelerate science and technology, innovation and digital transformation under Politburo Resolution 57-NQ/TW, issued on December 22, 2024.

Sep 23, 2026

GARMENT / TEXTILE

VIỆT NAM TARGETS $48 BILLION IN TEXTILE-GARMENT EXPORTS

Việt Nam’s textile and garment industry is facing both opportunities and challenges amid complex and unpredictable developments in the global market, prompting businesses to improve growth quality, optimise production costs and enhance adaptability in pursuit of an export turnover of about $48 billion this year. The target is considered an important milestone that requires concerted efforts from management agencies and the business community.

Sep 23, 2026

INFRASTRUCTURE / CONSTRUCTION / LOGISTIC / PORT

CUTTING LOGISTICS COSTS KEY TO BOOSTING EXPORTS

Reducing costs has become an increasingly urgent priority for import-export activities, particularly logistics costs, a conference in Hà Nội was told on Tuesday. According to Deputy General Director of the Ministry of Industry and Trade's Agency for Foreign Trade, Trần Thanh Hải, import-export activities has remained a bright spot for the economy in recent years, playing an important role and helping drive macroeconomic growth.

Sep 23, 2026

LEGAL UPDATE / POLICY

FLEXIBLE FISCAL POLICY HELPS DRIVE ECONOMIC GROWTH

Việt Nam’s fiscal policy has been implemented in a targeted expansionary manner since early 2026, helping maintain macroeconomic stability and supporting the country’s goal of achieving double-digit economic growth. According to the Ministry of Finance, State budget revenue in the first eight months of 2026 was estimated at VNĐ2.02 quadrillion (US$77.7 billion), equivalent to 80 per cent of the annual estimate and up 16 per cent year-on-year.

Sep 23, 2026