Korean firms expand investments in Vietnam

The Republic of Korea (RoK) poured US$2.32 billion in Vietnam in the first four months of 2018, making up nearly 30% of the inflow of investment in the Southeast Asian country.
  • RoK doctors continue free surgery programme for Vietnamese
  • RoK to recruit 7,900 Vietnamese workers this year
  • Vietnam, RoK localities foster ties of cooperation

With the figure, the RoK topped the list of 82 countries and territories investing in Vietnam in the period, according to the Foreign Investment Agency (FIA) under the Ministry of Planning and Investment.

Notably, some large-scale projects of the RoK registered to increase capital in the January – April period.

For example, LG Innotek proposed adding US$501 million to its camera module production project at Trang Due industrial park in the northern port city of Hai Phong, raising the total registered capital to US$1.05 billion.

Workers at a Korea-invested mobile phone spare part manufacturing factory in Vietnam's northern province of Thai Nguyen.
Workers at a Korea-invested mobile phone spare part manufacturing factory in Vietnam's northern province of Thai Nguyen.

Meanwhile, Kefico Vietnam Co. Ltd. registered to raise capital by US$120 million for its project in the northern province of Hai Duong, which specializes in manufacturing components and accessories for motored vehicles.

Recently, the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) has revealed its plan to move its main headquarters in Southeast Asia from Singapore to Hanoi to support Korean firms doing business in the fast growing market.

KOTRA said the decision was made in consideration of the growing number of Korean companies that are based in Vietnam or that plan to invest in the Southeast Asian nation.

According to KOTRA, bilateral trade between Vietnam and the RoK reached US$63.9 billion in 2017. Vietnam is now the fourth largest trading partner of the RoK while the country is Vietnam's second-largest.

The agency also plans to open new business centres in Ahmedabad, an industrial city in western India, and in Da Nang, a commercial hub in Vietnam’s central region. 

KOTRA will expand business centres in the promising markets to keep up with the changing trade environment, said CEO Kwon Pyung-oh.

At a recent meeting between Vietnamese and Korean businesses in Hanoi, many RoK firms highly evaluated Vietnam’s investment environment and investment incentives.

Gunjae Kim, chairman of the RoK’s Hwasung veterinary medicine company, said a lot of RoK firms operating in various fields have made inroads into Vietnam. He hailed Vietnam’s investment attraction policies with improvements in the business climate.

At present, Hwasung has not planned to open a manufacturing factory in Vietnam, but it wants to seek trade opportunities and promote import-export activities with Vietnamese businesses, he said.

VNA

Other News

A view of a container port in Singapore. (File photo: Xinhua/VNA)

Vietnam-Singapore trade cooperation gains fresh momentum

Analysts noted that Vietnam-Singapore ties are increasingly moving beyond traditional goods trade towards green growth, innovation and high-quality supply chains, laying a stronger foundation for more substantive and sustainable cooperation in the years ahead.

Vietnamese products make strong impression at Foodservice Australia 2026

Vietnamese products make strong impression at Foodservice Australia 2026

International visitors expressed positive impressions of Vietnamese products displayed at the fair. Nelma Sanjines, senior supervisor at ESP Catering in Sydney, praised the flavour of Vietnamese chilli sauce and soy sauce as well as the attractive packaging of confectionery products.

Digital technology helps standardise supply chains, sustain export competitiveness

Digital technology helps standardise supply chains, sustain export competitiveness

Experts noted that supply chain optimisation and risk management are no longer isolated tasks for individual companies but a requirement for the entire export ecosystem. With guidance from regulators, support from industry experts and their own efforts, Vietnamese exporters are expected to enhance their competitiveness and turn technical barriers and market volatility into opportunities for sustainable growth in global markets.

Vietnam seen as attractive investment destination for 2026–2035

Vietnam seen as attractive investment destination for 2026–2035

The article described Vietnam as strategically positioned along major regional maritime routes, including the East – West corridor linking the Americas, the Middle East, India and Europe, and the North – South corridor connecting China and Southeast Asia, helping make the country a gateway for international trade.

Eco-industrial parks seen as catalyst for higher-quality FDI

Eco-industrial parks seen as catalyst for higher-quality FDI

The eco-industrial park model will help Vietnam meet international environmental standards while creating opportunities to improve growth quality and economic competitiveness. Many multinational corporations now view green standards, emissions reduction and energy efficiency as key conditions when selecting investment destinations.

Promoting Vietnamese Brands at an International Food Fair in Gwangju

Promoting Vietnamese Brands at an International Food Fair in Gwangju

Alongside exhibition activities, trade promotion, and business networking programs, the “Gwangju Global Food Fair 2026” also witnessed the signing ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the Vietnam–Korea Businessmen & Investment Association (VKBIA) and the Gwangju Tourism Organization of South Korea.

Hanoi proposes subsidies to accelerate shift to electric vehicles

Hanoi proposes subsidies to accelerate shift to electric vehicles

Under a draft resolution currently open for public feedback by the municipal People’s Committee, residents with permanent or temporary residence registration in Hanoi for at least two consecutive years, who own petrol-powered motorbikes registered before the resolution takes effect, will be eligible for support when purchasing electric motorbikes priced at 10 million VND or more.

Private economic sector poised for breakthrough growth

Private economic sector poised for breakthrough growth

More than a year after the Politburo's Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW on private sector development came into effect, expectations now extend beyond increasing the number of enterprises. The goal is to build a stronger business community with greater resilience, larger ambitions and the capacity to compete in global supply chains.

Vietnam remains ASEAN growth leader in 2026 despite global headwinds: WB

Vietnam remains ASEAN growth leader in 2026 despite global headwinds: WB

Vietnam is expected to remain one of ASEAN’s fastest-growing economies in 2026, supported by resilient exports, strong investment inflows and an ambitious reform agenda, despite mounting global uncertainties, according to the World Bank’s latest Vietnam Economic Update released on May 15.

Ministry establishes monitoring framework for carbon market

Ministry establishes monitoring framework for carbon market

Under a new circular, the exchange of greenhouse gas emission quotas and carbon credits is conducted on the domestic carbon credit exchange through the carbon trading system, which is interconnected with the national registration system.