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China has surpassed the US to become the largest buyer of Vietnamese seafood, with imports reaching nearly US$1.4 billion in the first half of 2026.

HÀ NỘI — China has surpassed the US to become the largest buyer of Vietnamese seafood, with imports reaching nearly US$1.4 billion in the first half of 2026, up about 40 per cent year-on-year, according to statistics of the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment.

The recorded imports were nearly $898 million in the period, down about 1 per cent. Japan ranked third with nearly $788 million, a 2 per cent increase.

A representative from seafood exporter Nam Viet Corporation said that the shift towards China has become more visible since the beginning of the year. The company as shipping costs to distant markets remained high, China became a more attractive destination thanks to its geographical proximity, lower logistics costs and faster capital recovery.

Lê Hằng, deputy general secretary of the Vietnam Association of Seafood Exporters and Producers (VASEP), said that the US and European markets introduced more trade barriers, so many seafood exporters had proactively shifted to China.

Exports to the US continued to face challenges, Hằng said.

She pointed out that the US’ stricter requirements under the Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA) have forced exporters to obtain additional Certificates of Admissibility (COA), which creates complicated procedures, particularly for tuna products.

Shrimp exports to this market have also remained under pressure from high anti-dumping duties.

The US market was further affected by increased shipments ahead of new tariff measures, which pushed up inventories.

The VASEP said seafood export growth during the period reflected not only recovering demand but also businesses’ ability to adjust markets and restructure products as importers have become more cautious while requirements on pricing, quality standards, certification and traceability have tightened.

Other markets also recorded positive growth. The Republic of Korea imported $419.4 million worth of seafood from Việt Nam in the first six months, up 9 per cent, while ASEAN markets purchased more than $380 million, up 16 per cent.

The figures show that Việt Nam’s market diversification strategy has helped offset slower growth in traditional markets such as the US, the EU and Japan.

Overall, Việt Nam’s seafood exports totalled more than $5.7 billion in the January-June period, rising 11.4 per cent from a year earlier.

Shrimp remained Việt Nam’s largest seafood export item, generating about $2.3 billion in the first half, up 13.6 per cent year-on-year and accounting for more than 40 per cent of total seafood export value. Shrimp’s growth was mainly driven by strong demand from mainland China and Hong Kong, particularly for lobster.

Pangasius exports reached about $1.1 billion, up 12.1 per cent, benefiting from competitive prices and stable demand for white-flesh fish in many markets.

According to Hằng, exporters could face the risk of additional protectionist measures from the US, including possible new barriers related to forced labour regulations and potential quotas on some seafood products.

Rising global refrigerated container freight rates are another major challenge, she added.

She urged seafood exporters to regularly update market information for export plans, diversify market and increase deep processing to maintain growth.

Foreign investment into Vietnam surged in the first half of 2026, driven by manufacturing, high-tech industries, and record FDI disbursement as investors reinforced their confidence in the country’s long-term growth prospects.

Foreign investment inflows posted strong growth in the first half of 2026 despite mounting geopolitical uncertainty and the ongoing realignment of global supply chains. Backed by a clear policy direction, Vietnam continued to reinforce its position as a safe and attractive destination for international investors.

According to the National Statistics Office at the Ministry of Finance, as of June 30, total registered foreign investment, including newly-registered capital, additional capital for existing projects, and foreign investors’ capital contributions and share purchases, reached $34.65 billion, up 61 per cent year-on-year. The figures underscore continued confidence among multinational corporations in Vietnam’s macro-economic stability and long-term growth prospects.

Strengthening across the board

Growth in foreign investment was broad-based, with all three major capital channels posting solid gains. Newly-registered investment reached $17.39 billion across 2,013 licensed projects, up 8.2 per cent in value from a year earlier. The increase suggests that the average size of new projects has risen significantly, reflecting a shift away from smaller investments toward large-scale projects backed by substantial financial resources.

Additional investment in existing projects also remained robust. A total of 541 projects increased their registered capital by a combined $11.04 billion, up 23.5 per cent year-on-year. The continued expansion of established operations highlights foreign investors’ long-term commitment to Vietnam and confidence in the country’s investment environment.

Meanwhile, capital contributions and share purchases climbed 89.5 per cent to $6.22 billion. Professional, scientific, and technological activities attracted $2.64 billion, while wholesale and retail drew $1.94 billion, reflecting growing merger and acquisition (M&A) and strategic partnership activity across high-value service sectors.

The brightest spot in the investment picture was disbursed FDI, which is estimated at $13.03 billion, up 11.2 per cent against the same period last year and the highest first-half disbursement in five years. Strong disbursement reflects both the economy’s ability to absorb investment and the government’s continued efforts to remove administrative bottlenecks and accelerate project implementation.

Competing for investment

In June alone, newly-registered foreign investment totaled approximately $9.84 billion, including $2.55 billion in new projects, $5.26 billion in additional capital, and $2.05 billion in capital contributions and share purchases. It was the busiest month of the year for investment approvals and licensing, highlighting major shifts across key investment destinations.

In Ho Chi Minh City, total newly-registered and additional investment reached $4.87 billion during the first half of the year, making it the country’s second-largest FDI destination. The city attracted $1.47 billion in newly-registered capital and $3.4 billion in additional investment. Notably, nearly $2.98 billion of additional capital was registered in June alone, underscoring the expansion of existing projects.

The southern city also recorded significant progress in green investment, highlighted by the commissioning of a nearly 28 MWp rooftop solar power system at the Samsung Electronics HCMC CE Complex in Saigon Hi-Tech Park, supporting both sustainable development and the city’s energy transition agenda.

Several large-scale data center projects also received investment approval, including a 52 MW facility worth $508.7 million developed by Singaporean investors Hathor, Frontier, and Evolution, as well as a 60 MW hyperscale data center valued at $480.2 million developed by the Starmason JSC.

In northern Vietnam, Bac Ninh continued to strengthen its position as one of the country’s leading industrial hubs. During the first half of the year, the provincial industrial park authority approved 12 new projects worth $31.78 million and authorized an additional $539.22 million in capital for 25 existing projects, bringing total newly-registered and additional investment to nearly $2.58 billion.

Thai Nguyen remained the country’s top-performing locality, attracting more than $8.03 billion in newly-registered and additional investment, including $5.8 billion in new projects and $2.23 billion in additional capital. The province’s success reflects its long-term strategy of attracting large-scale high-tech, semiconductor, and electronics manufacturing projects. Hai Phong, meanwhile, secured $1.83 billion after accelerating approvals for supporting semiconductor and electronics projects, including those involving LG Innotek, and Phu Tho attracted an additional $554 million in expansion capital.

Elsewhere, the central city of Da Nang benefited from the continued expansion of German cleaning equipment manufacturer Kärcher, following the successful operation of its first production phase.

FDI during the first half of 2026 remained heavily concentrated in manufacturing and strategic industries. Manufacturing attracted $17.91 billion, accounting for 63 per cent of all newly-registered and additional investment and reaffirming its role as the backbone of Vietnam’s economy. Real estate followed, with $5.1 billion, equivalent to 17.9 per cent of total investment and highlighting continued investor confidence in industrial property and urban infrastructure.

New FDI strategy takes shape

The surge in foreign investment during June and the first half of 2026 also reflects the impact of Vietnam’s evolving investment strategy.

On June 8, the Politburo issued Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW, outlining the country’s FDI strategy for 2026-2030. The Resolution marks a significant shift in Vietnam’s approach, emphasizing quality over quantity in attracting foreign investment.

The strategy rests on three core priorities. First, Vietnam aims to attract global leaders in semiconductors, AI, digital ecosystems, and next-generation high-tech industries, to deepen the country’s integration into global value chains.

Second, investment projects are expected to align with sustainable development goals by adopting environmental, social, and governance (ESG) standards, renewable energy, and circular economy models, supporting Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.

​Growth in foreign investment was broad-based, with all three major capital channels posting solid gains. Newly-registered investment reached $17.39 billion across 2,013 licensed projects, up 8.2 per cent in value from a year earlier. The increase suggests that the average size of new projects has risen significantly, reflecting a shift away from smaller investments toward large-scale projects backed by substantial financial resources.​

Third, the Resolution calls for sweeping administrative reform by streamlining approval procedures, eliminating overlapping regulations, and reducing bureaucratic barriers. The broader implementation of genuine one-stop administrative mechanisms and faster investment licensing has strengthened Vietnam’s competitiveness in attracting rapidly-shifting global investment flows.

Positive outlook, but challenges remain

Vietnam’s foreign investment outlook for the second half of 2026 remains positive, with inflows expected to maintain strong momentum and potentially reach record highs.

Global investment in semiconductors and advanced electronics continues to expand rapidly. Supported by improving infrastructure and extensive experience in hosting large-scale manufacturing projects, Vietnam is well positioned to attract additional multi-billion-dollar investments from leading technology companies in the US, Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan (China) over the remainder of the year.

Record FDI disbursement during the first half also demonstrates that foreign-invested enterprises continue to operate efficiently in Vietnam. As global export demand gradually recovers, higher production requirements are expected to encourage further capacity expansion and additional investment by existing manufacturers.

Nevertheless, Vietnam will need to address several structural challenges to maximize the benefits of next-generation FDI.

The first is clean energy infrastructure. High-tech manufacturing plants and data centers require enormous supplies of reliable, low-carbon electricity to meet international sustainability standards. Accelerating power transmission projects, completing the direct power purchase agreement (DPPA) mechanism, and facilitating greater investment in renewable energy will therefore be critical.

The second challenge is human capital. High-tech investment increasingly demands semiconductor engineers, highly-skilled technicians, and advanced technical specialists rather than low-cost labor. Expanding the supply of highly qualified workers through nationwide education and workforce development programs will be essential to sustaining Vietnam’s competitiveness in attracting technology-intensive investment.

VOV.VN - European business confidence in Vietnam climbed to 79.7 points in the second quarter of 2026, approaching a seven-year high as the country continued to demonstrate resilience and attract investors despite global supply chain disruptions and shifting trade dynamics, the European Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam says.

EuroCham Business Confidence Index Q2/2026 conducted by DXL Research & Consulting. (Source: EuroCham)

EuroCham's flagship Business Confidence Index (BCI), the Q2 2026 report released on July 15, reveals a renewed surge in European business confidence, underscoring Vietnam's resilience amid one of the most volatile global operating environments in recent years.

With a sharp 7-point climb from the 72.7 points recorded in Q1, this quarter’s index is just a fraction below the historic seven-year peak of 80.0 reached in late 2025. The momentum signals a renewed appetite among European investors for expansion in one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economies, reaffirming the long-term confidence that briefly receded amid heightened global uncertainty.

"This quarter's findings demonstrate the incredible, almost tenacious resilience of both Vietnam's economy and the European businesses operating here," noted EuroCham Chairman Bruno Jaspaert.

“The first half of 2026 has been a rollercoaster. We entered the year with complex geopolitical wild cards, yet, despite a heavy cloud of global uncertainty, our member companies outperformed their own expectations. This index proves that when the weather gets rough, our ecosystem knows how to recalibrate and capture growth", he added.

The survey shows that 63% of European businesses reported positive business conditions during Q2, while optimism continues to strengthen, with 69% expecting favourable conditions in the coming quarter. This wave of optimism represents an 11-percentage-point jump compared to the expectations expressed just three months ago, driven by surging commercial performance, a healthy influx of new orders, and resilient domestic demand.

Xavier Depouilly, general manager of DXL Research and Consulting commented, “Confidence has recovered across all sectors, confirming that the slowdown recorded in Q1 was broad-based but ultimately temporary. While the pace of recovery has varied by industry, the overall direction is consistent. Agrifood recorded a more modest 5.5-point improvement, whereas Tourism & Hospitality surged by 8.7 points to reach 90.4, well above the overall index. Across industries, businesses have outperformed their own expectations, supported by resilient domestic and international demand, expanded public and private investment, and a remarkable ability to adapt to an increasingly complex environment. By introducing sector and company size level analysis, the BCI report and dashboard now provide a more granular understanding of business sentiment, helping both investors and policymakers identify where confidence is strengthening, where challenges remain, and where targeted actions can have the greatest impact.”

"These BCI results mirror the broader macroeconomic landscape as Vietnam solidifies its position as one of Asia's growth champions," Jaspaert explained. "In the first half of 2026 alone, the national GDP expanded by an impressive 8.18%. When you pair that breakneck growth with Vietnam's rise to 27th in the IMD World Competitiveness Ranking and its upcoming FTSE Russell upgrade to a Secondary Emerging Market this September, the narrative is crystal clear. What makes Vietnam truly stand out in a fiercely competitive regional landscape is a government that does not just talk about growth, but formalises it into national resolutions and actively executes structural reforms to pursue it.”

Throughout 2026, the Government has accelerated institutional reforms, administrative restructuring and investment policies aimed at attracting higher-quality foreign direct investment. Chief among these is the recent rollout of Resolution 10, which shifts the country's FDI criteria away from cheap labour and raw volume toward high-tech innovation, technology and sustainable growth.

Overall, the Q2 2026 Business Confidence Index underscores Vietnam's position as one of Asia's most attractive investment destinations, with European businesses continuing to express strong confidence in the market.

More than half of the respondents (54%) now describe Vietnam as a core strategic market and operational base, while a further 18% consider it a major growth location. Together, these findings reflect a notable shift in how European companies position Vietnam within their regional and global business strategies. Rather than serving solely as a manufacturing base, Vietnam is increasingly seen as a platform for production, sourcing, regional services and future expansion across Southeast Asia.

As Vietnam pursues its bold double-digit growth, businesses see a significant opportunity to translate today's strong business sentiment into sustained, high-quality investment by accelerating administrative reform, improving regulatory predictability and ensuring consistent implementation across all levels of government. Continued progress in these areas would enable businesses to devote more resources to innovation, production and workforce development, further enhancing Vietnam's competitiveness as a destination for international investment.

"The confidence radiating from this quarter's index is encouraging, but confidence alone is not the destination," Jaspaert said. “Over the last fifteen years, the BCI has evolved from a simple quarterly sentiment poll into a comprehensive economic indicator, giving our Government partners the evidence needed to optimise the investment climate. By continuing this constructive loop, we accompany Vietnam’s rise to become Asia's premier destination for high-quality, sustainable, and future-proof investment.”