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Sweden Leads Nordic Investment Wave into Vietnam in the First Half of 2025
Vietnam’s foreign direct investment (FDI) landscape in the first half of 2025 shows strong growth and notable shifts in geographic investment patterns. Notably, Sweden has emerged as one of the top countries with newly licensed FDI projects, marking a clear trend of increased Nordic presence in the Vietnamese market. Denmark is also positioning itself as a strategic investor in clean energy and green industry, continuing its sustainable investment initiatives in Southeast Asia.
FDI Surge – Sweden Among the Top New Investors
According to data from the Foreign Investment Agency (Ministry of Finance), as of June 30, 2025, total registered FDI into Vietnam reached USD 21.52 billion, up 32.6% compared to the same period in 2024. Newly registered capital accounted for USD 9.29 billion across 1,988 projects, a 21.7% increase in project numbers. The processing and manufacturing industry remained the most attractive sector, receiving over 54% of total new capital.
Among 72 countries and territories with newly registered investment in Vietnam, Sweden surprisingly ranked third, with USD 1 billion—equivalent to 10.8% of newly committed capital—trailing only Singapore and China. Sweden’s rise highlights the Nordic region’s growing commitment to shifting investment toward Southeast Asia, with Vietnam seen as a strategic destination thanks to its political stability, large market potential, and increasingly modernized manufacturing infrastructure.
Denmark – A Strategic Newcomer in Green Industry and Clean Energy
In parallel with Sweden, Denmark has recently emerged as a noteworthy investment partner, particularly in green transition sectors. Leading Danish corporations such as Ørsted, Vestas, and COWI are ramping up their presence in Vietnam through offshore wind power projects, logistics infrastructure, technical consulting, and sustainable development.
The most prominent project is by Danish group LEGO, worth between USD 1 billion and 1.3 billion, which was officially inaugurated in April 2025 in Binh Duong province. This marks LEGO’s sixth factory globally and its first carbon-neutral facility in Vietnam, set to operate entirely on renewable energy (solar and battery storage) by early 2026.
The project is expected to create approximately 4,000 jobs and lay the foundation for a green and sustainable supply chain. LEGO also plans to establish a distribution center in Dong Nai province to serve the broader Asian market.
According to experts, the shift of capital from traditional European industrial hubs to Southeast Asia—particularly from Nordic countries to Vietnam—reflects post-COVID-19 supply chain restructuring and aligns with the environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards that Nordic investors prioritize.
Positive Signals from Nordic Investment Flows
Sweden’s leap into the group of top countries by newly committed FDI not only signals growing investment momentum but also reflects a long-term strategic approach by Nordic enterprises in Vietnam. The most attractive sectors include high-tech manufacturing, renewable energy, green logistics, financial and insurance services, and digital transformation solutions.
Both Sweden and Denmark are global leaders in innovation, environmental protection, and sustainable development—criteria that are becoming key competitive advantages for Vietnam in attracting high-quality FDI.
Policy Recommendations
To sustain and capitalize on the ongoing investment shift from the Nordics, Vietnam should:
• Accelerate administrative reform, especially in the energy and green infrastructure sectors;
• Develop specialized industrial zones catering to “green” and “digital” investment;
• Strengthen targeted investment promotion in Nordic markets through collaboration with embassies, trade offices, and business associations;
• Advance the regulatory framework for ESG and carbon taxation to support responsible investors.
Vietnam is at a pivotal moment to position itself as a strategic investment hub for Nordic countries in Asia. The strong entry of Sweden and Denmark into the Vietnamese market in 2025 is a clear testament to this trend—opening the door to long-term, sustainable, and effective partnerships between two regions that share common values around green development and innovation.
(Vietnam Trade Office in Sweden, concurrently accredited to Denmark, Norway, Iceland, and Latvia)
OTHER NEWS
Sweden exports to Vietnam
| Products | 07M/2024 | 07M/2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All products (USD) | 607,644,699 | 745,682,213 | 22.7 |
| Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates | 13,772,721 | 19,143,841 | 39.0 |
| Plastic products | 12,085,466 | 11,665,363 | -3.5 |
| Rubber | 271,051 | 377,597 | 39.3 |
| Bags, purses, suitcases, hats, umbrellas | 15,163,194 | 16,606,031 | 9.5 |
| Products of rattan, bamboo, sedge and carpet | 5,108,639 | 4,968,520 | -2.7 |
| Wood and articles of wood | 12,707,964 | 15,587,392 | 22.7 |
| Textiles and garments | 53,485,362 | 92,791,791 | 73.5 |
| Footwears, parts of such articles | 33,380,940 | 47,983,468 | 43.7 |
| Materials for textiles and garments, and footwares | 2,505,652 | 2,836,632 | 13.2 |
| Ceramic products | 1,618,068 | 625,967 | -61.3 |
| Articles of iron or steel | 6,113,717 | 42,468,234 | 594.6 |
| Other metals and products | 518,921 | 1,686,008 | 224.9 |
| Computers, electrical products, part thereof | 55,243,119 | 89,230,679 | 61.5 |
| Telephone sets, parts thereof | 218,776,097 | 213,254,725 | -2.5 |
| Machinery, mechanical appliances, equipment, parts thereof | 67,590,440 | 82,184,846 | 21.6 |
| Toys, sports equipment and parts | 6,477,292 | 8,034,416 | 24.0 |
Sweden imports from Vietnam
| Products | 07M/2024 | 07M/2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All products (USD) | 241,127,093 | 290,133,578 | 20.3 |
| Other petroleum products | 2,075,373 | 2,769,922 | 33.5 |
| Chemical products | 6,677,516 | 8,752,175 | 31.1 |
| Pharmaceutical products | 73,634,276 | 97,019,059 | 31.8 |
| Plastic materials | 1,998,428 | 1,722,024 | -13.8 |
| Plastic products | 4,385,886 | 4,768,348 | 8.7 |
| Wood and articles of wood | 3,044,195 | 3,754,065 | 23.3 |
| Paper products | 24,169,439 | 34,195,371 | 41.5 |
| Iron or steel | 8,209,914 | 40,402 | -99.5 |
| Articles of iron or steel | 4,911,465 | 11,458,570 | 133.3 |
| Computers, electrical products, part thereof | 4,266,401 | 8,677,328 | 103.4 |
| Telephone sets, parts thereof | 59,911 | 3,725,367 | - |
| Other machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts | 77,733,414 | 71,979,264 | -7.4 |
Denmark exports to Vietnam
| Products | 07T/2024 | 07T/2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All products (USD) | 254,392,764 | 237,191,561 | -6.8 |
| Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates | 30,726,035 | 26,213,701 | -14.7 |
| Coffee | 3,126,599 | 6,566,952 | 110.0 |
| Plastic products | 14,710,637 | 14,197,539 | -3.5 |
| Bags, purses, suitcases, hats, umbrellas | 9,637,815 | 6,422,414 | -33.4 |
| Products of rattan, bamboo, sedge and carpet | 3,657,571 | 3,868,566 | 5.8 |
| Wood and articles of wood | 17,374,867 | 18,362,432 | 5.7 |
| Textiles and garments | 35,268,377 | 36,096,190 | 2.3 |
| Footwears, parts of such articles | 15,022,323 | 15,716,241 | 4.6 |
| Ceramic products | 2,902,779 | 3,372,444 | 16.2 |
| Articles of iron or steel | 24,089,454 | 12,928,646 | -46.3 |
| Other machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts | 11,653,292 | 19,916,358 | 70.9 |
| Electric wires and cables | 21,830,874 | 18,210,009 | -16.6 |
| Transport vehicles and spare parts | 3,411,543 | 4,922,151 | 44.3 |
| Furniture products from materials other than wood | 15,216,952 | 11,203,347 | -26.4 |
| Toys, sports equipment and parts | 3,004,406 | 4,650,693 | 54.8 |
Denmark imports from Vietnam
| Products | 07T/2024 | 07T/2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All products (USD) | 126,357,197 | 149,056,627 | 18.0 |
| Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates | 6,302,295 | 14,253,756 | 126.2 |
| Milk and dairy products | 3,276,008 | 4,238,461 | 29.4 |
| Chemical products | 15,539,464 | 14,061,096 | -9.5 |
| Pharmaceutical products | 12,076,770 | 16,136,289 | 33.6 |
| Plastic products | 6,353,295 | 8,851,139 | 39.3 |
| Materials for textiles and garments, and footwares | 105,674 | 427,394 | 304.4 |
| Iron or steel | 128,339 | 89,257 | -30.5 |
| Articles of iron or steel | 4,065,810 | 8,278,124 | 103.6 |
| Computers, electrical products, part thereof | 3,841,778 | 3,045,346 | -20.7 |
| Other machinery, equipment. tools and spare parts | 35,890,785 | 30,880,419 | -14.0 |
| Electric wires and cables | 1,542,703 | 1,593,533 | 3.3 |
Norway exports to Vietnam
| Products | 07T/2024 | 07T/2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All products (USD) | 73,040,282 | 108,310,302 | 48.3 |
| Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates | 5,659,844 | 7,946,497 | 40.4 |
| Fruits and vegetables | 1,935,400 | 2,434,862 | 25.8 |
| Cashew nuts | 4,076,125 | 5,731,801 | 40.6 |
| Plastic products | 1,701,273 | 1,453,853 | -14.5 |
| Bags, purses, suitcases, hats, umbrellas | 3,308,810 | 5,822,604 | 76.0 |
| Wood and articles of wood | 1,393,843 | 1,687,072 | 21.0 |
| Textiles and garments | 5,900,068 | 8,653,981 | 46.7 |
| Footwears, parts of such articles | 11,846,397 | 13,307,329 | 12.3 |
| Articles of iron or steel | 1,028,695 | 882,925 | -14.2 |
| Cameras, camcorders and components | 2,147,094 | 5,780,364 | 169.2 |
| Other machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts | 8,628,149 | 6,506,745 | -24.6 |
| Transport vehicles and spare parts | 5,811,184 | 17,628,309 | 203.4 |
| Furniture products from materials other than wood | 1,480,063 | 1,091,064 | -26.3 |
Norway imports from Vietnam
| Products | 07T/2024 | 07T/2025 | Change (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
| All products (USD) | 274,170,661 | 362,242,875 | 32.1 |
| Fish and crustaceans, molluscs and other aquatic invertebrates | 178,366,435 | 202,503,014 | 13.5 |
| Chemical products | 2,696,900 | 2,829,657 | 4.9 |
| Fertilizers | 20,734,345 | 26,912,300 | 29.8 |
| Articles of iron or steel | 3,934,014 | 4,672,567 | 18.8 |
| Other machinery, equipment. tools and spare parts | 32,565,537 | 85,958,910 | 164.0 |
OTHER NEWS
Việt Nam’s trade turnover surpasses $40b in first half of August
Việt Nam’s trade activities remained vibrant in the first half of August 2025, with total import-export turnover exceeding US$40.36 billion, according to preliminary data released by the Department of Customs under the Ministry of Finance.
Following a record-breaking July, which saw trade turnover surpass $80 billion, the momentum continued into August. Exports in the first 15 days reached $20.06 billion, while imports totalled $20.29 billion, resulting in a trade deficit of approximately $230 million.
Foreign-invested sector continued to play a pivotal role in Việt Nam’s trade landscape, contributing $15.74 billion to export turnover, accounting for 78.7 per cent of the total and $15 billion to imports, representing nearly 74 per cent of total import turnover.
Among exports, four commodity groups topped $1 billion in turnover. Of which, computers, electronic products and components led with nearly $4.6 billion. Phones and components followed with $2.48 billion. Machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts reached $2.44 billion while textiles and garments contributed $1.84 billion.
Other notable export items included footwear ($989 million), wood and wood products ($720 million), means of transport and spare parts ($700 million), seafood ($482 million), vegetables and fruits ($379 million), cashew nuts ($226 million) and coffee ($225 million).
On the import side, billion-dollar groups included computers and electronic products at $7.28 billion and machinery, equipment, tools and spare parts at $2.81 billion. Significant turnover was also recorded in raw materials such as chemicals, plastics, iron and steel, as well as fuel products including crude oil, gasoline and coal.
From January 1 to August 15, 2025, the country’s total import-export turnover exceeded $555 billion, according to the department. — VNS
Việt Nam emerges as Asia’s rising economy: Thai newspaper
Việt Nam is increasingly asserting its position as an emerging economy in Asia, with signs it may overtake Thailand on fronts, according to Thailand’s newspaper The Nation.
The newspaper on Tuesday reported that Việt Nam has unveiled an ambitious national development plan to invest around 1.5 trillion baht (VNĐ1.28 quadrillion or US$48.7 billion) – in 250 infrastructure and housing development projects nationwide, aiming to achieve 8 per cent GDP growth in 2025 and sustain double-digit growth in subsequent years.
The ultimate target is to transform Việt Nam into Asia’s next ‘tiger economy’ and reach high-income status by 2045.
Việt Nam’s economy has long relied on exports and foreign direct investment (FDI), leaving it vulnerable to external shocks such as the recently imposed retaliatory tariffs by US President Donald Trump.
To reduce this risk, the Vietnamese Government is now stimulating domestic demand through massive infrastructure spending.
At the end of 2024, Party General Secretary Tô Lâm announced the start of a ‘new era of development’, signalling Việt Nam’s most sweeping economic reform in decades. The government’s strategic vision is to emulate the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Taiwan (China) by lifting millions out of poverty and joining the ranks of Asia’s most advanced economies.
Việt Nam’s rapid rise is underscored by its income growth: per capita annual income in Hà Nội has jumped from $1,200 in 1990 to $16,385 today, fuelled by the country’s transformation into a global manufacturing hub.
However, challenges remain. Việt Nam’s traditional low-cost, export-driven growth model is slowing, forcing a shift towards high-tech industries, green energy and private sector expansion.
From Thai perspective
Nonarit Bisonyabut, senior research fellow at the Thailand Development Research Institute (TDRI), said that Việt Nam is implementing evidence-based reforms, such as bureaucratic restructuring to improve efficiency, enabling rapid economic advancement.
He noted that China and the RoK are prioritising Việt Nam over Thailand. Both nations are winners in the digital age – with China rising alongside the US as an AI leader.
“If Thailand fails to reform seriously, it risks losing competitiveness and may eventually fall behind Việt Nam,” Nonarit concluded.
Kriengkrai Thiennukul, chairman of the Federation of Thai Industries (FTI), told Thai-language daily newspaper Krungthep Turakij that Việt Nam is undergoing a major adjustment, taking advantage of changes in US tariffs and global trade rules.
“Việt Nam knows the world has changed, so it must rely more on itself and push through structural reforms,” Kriengkrai said.
“They’ve started with bureaucratic reforms, cutting ministries and expenses to reduce redundancy. They know if they don’t restructure, they’ll lose out in global competition. This is a good example Thailand should follow,” he said.
Poj Aramwattananont, chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, also highly appreciated Việt Nam’s strategy of expanding infrastructure investment, considering this a proactive step to maintain growth and cope with the impact of global trade policy.
“Việt Nam is growing from exports and rolling out major infrastructure projects. We are too slow. We need faster execution, clear policies and political stability,” he noted. — VNS
Việt Nam’s rice race heats up with fresh push for quality gains
Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính’s recent directive to boost rice exports underscores that Việt Nam’s rice industry still faces significant challenges requiring long-term, sustainable solutions focused on quality and competitive advantage.
Having overtaken Thailand as the world’s second-largest rice exporter, Việt Nam is now shifting its focus from sheer volume to high-value products. The PM has called for urgent action to tackle bottlenecks threatening this position.
According to Government Office Document No 7697/VPCP-NN, issued on Monday, the sector must confront risks including salinity intrusion, drought, climate change and strict regulatory barriers from demanding markets such as the EU and Japan.
“In the context of weakening global demand, forcing rice exporters to sharply lower prices, Việt Nam’s competitiveness in prices will be narrowed down. This requires a long-term strategy with the focus shifting from increasing output to improving product value,” the PM emphasised.
Việt Nam must prioritise exporting high-quality and organic rice with transparent traceability and a strong national brand, or risk losing its hard-won global ranking amid fluctuating supply and climate pressures.
The PM tasked the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment with crafting detailed plans to safeguard the country’s standing while accelerating a project to develop 1 million hectares of high-quality, low-emission rice fields by 2030.
Statistics reveal that in the first seven months of 2025, Việt Nam exported 5.5 million tonnes of rice worth US$2.81 billion – volume up 3.1 per cent but value down nearly 16 per cent compared to the same period last year.
The market faces pressure from India’s large mid-priced rice exports and the Philippines’ 60-day suspension of rice imports from September 1. The Philippines remains Việt Nam’s largest rice importer.
Nonetheless, Vietnamese rice is expanding in stable markets such as Japan, South Korea and the EU, thanks to speciality varieties like ST25.
Data from the Thai Rice Exporters Association confirms Việt Nam exported 4.72 million tonnes in the first half of 2025, surpassing Thailand to become the world’s second-largest rice exporter. India leads with 11.68 million tonnes exported. — BIZHUB/VNS