Driol, chief executive of Mekong Partners, said Vietnam attracted about 25 billion USD in registered foreign direct investment (FDI) in the first five months of 2026, with nearly 10 billion USD disbursed.
He said the figures reflected not only investment commitments but also projects already being implemented, including factory construction, production line installation, hiring workers, and the development of local supplier networks.
According to Driol, Vietnam's appeal extends beyond its competitive labor costs. He cited the country's political stability, an increasingly skilled young workforce, deep integration into the global economy, and strong connectivity with major markets such as the United States, the European Union, Japan, and South Korea. He said Vietnam has established a solid position in electronics, components, high-tech assembly, and industrial equipment manufacturing.
Driol also noted a shift in the composition of foreign investment flowing into Vietnam. While labor-intensive industries previously attracted the bulk of FDI, investment is increasingly moving toward higher value-added sectors, including high-tech electronics, semiconductors, automation, energy transition, and digital transformation.
With strong economic growth, resilience to global economic uncertainty, and a strategy focused on attracting high-tech, research and development, and advanced manufacturing projects, Vietnam is gradually evolving from a low-cost manufacturing base into a key link in global industrial value chains, Driol said.
