Foreign direct investment (FDI) in Ho Chi Minh City reached nearly $2.9 billion in the first three months of 2026, a 219% increase compared to the previous year. This was announced by Nguyen Hoang Anh, a representative of the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Finance, at a press briefing on March 26th. For comparison, the data from the first quarter of 2025 included the combined territories of the former provinces of Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Binh Duong. If only the figures for the former boundaries of Ho Chi Minh City are considered, the investment growth was almost 480%.
In addition to the influx of capital, the city also showed growth in other indicators. The number of new businesses increased by 47%, and revenue from retail sales and services reached 476 trillion dong ($19.4 billion), which is 13.7% more than last year's figures.
Despite the positive dynamics, city authorities note risks associated with geopolitical instability in the Middle East. Exports in the first quarter were estimated at $22 billion, which is only 1.12% more than a year earlier. Trade, especially in the perishable goods segment, was affected by rising transportation costs and increased delivery times. At the same time, import costs increased by 4.2%, which increased the cost of production for local enterprises.
Despite the unfavorable conditions, the Ho Chi Minh City authorities maintain a target growth rate of gross regional product of more than 10% this year. To achieve this, the authorities are stepping up work on the implementation of key investment projects, expanding business access to lending, and stimulating domestic consumption.