Vietnam's GDP grew 6.8% in 2025, making it one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. Foreign direct investment disbursement reached a record $23.8 billion, up 9.4% year-on-year. Total registered FDI including new and expanded projects reached approximately $39 billion. The country has emerged as a primary beneficiary of the "China plus one" strategy, where multinational corporations diversify manufacturing capacity beyond China to mitigate geopolitical and supply chain risks.
Manufacturing Transformation
Samsung operates the world's largest smartphone manufacturing complex in Vietnam, producing approximately 50% of all Samsung phones globally at its facilities in Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen provinces. Samsung's total investment in Vietnam exceeds $20 billion, and the company's exports account for approximately 20% of Vietnam's total merchandise exports.
Apple suppliers including Foxconn, Luxshare, and Goertek have expanded operations in northern Vietnam. AirPods, iPads, and some MacBook components are now assembled in the country. Intel's $1.5 billion chip packaging and testing facility in Ho Chi Minh City is one of the largest in Intel's global network. Lego opened its first carbon-neutral factory in Vietnam in 2024.
Trade Position
Vietnam's total merchandise exports reached approximately $405 billion in 2025, with electronics and smartphones accounting for approximately 35% of the total. The country runs a trade surplus with the United States of approximately $104 billion, the fourth largest globally, raising concerns about potential US tariff actions. The dong has been managed carefully by the State Bank of Vietnam, depreciating approximately 3% against the dollar to maintain export competitiveness.
Challenges
Despite rapid growth, Vietnam faces infrastructure bottlenecks. Port capacity, electricity supply (particularly during dry seasons when hydropower output drops), and skilled labour availability remain constraints. The country's power grid experienced strain in 2025, with some northern provinces facing temporary shortages. A north-south high-speed rail project estimated at $67 billion has been approved but construction will take over a decade.
For Vietnam economic data, visit General Statistics Office of Vietnam. For FDI data, see Ministry of Planning and Investment.