Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Văn Thắng speaks at the forum. — VNA/VNS Photo

HÀ NỘI — In the new development phase, Việt Nam is shifting from mass attraction of foreign direct investment (FDI) to a more selective, quality-, efficiency- and sustainability-driven investment cooperation approach, Deputy Prime Minister Nguyễn Văn Thắng stated at a forum in Hà Nội on Wednesday.

Jointly organised by the Institute for Policy and Strategy Studies (IPSS), the Vietnam Association of Small and Medium Enterprises, and the Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises, the event gathered over 300 policymakers, business leaders, investors and experts to discuss ways to enhance synergies between the FDI sector and the domestic private sector for sustainable growth.

Deputy PM Thắng noted that the global landscape is undergoing profound and unpredictable changes, driven by strategic competition among major powers, supply chain restructuring, and rapid advances in digital transformation, green transition, artificial intelligence and semiconductor technologies. For Việt Nam, this presents both challenges and opportunities to reposition itself in regional and global value chains, while renewing growth drivers based on innovation, science – technology, and private sector development.

He highlighted that the FDI sector remains a key pillar of Việt Nam’s economy, with more than 46,500 valid projects and total registered capital exceeding US$543 billion so far. Disbursed capital has reached around $357.6 billion. The FDI sector contributes over 20 per cent of GDP, accounts for around 70 per cent of total export turnover, and creates jobs for millions of workers. Việt Nam continues to rank among ASEAN’s leading FDI destinations despite global investment slowdowns.

The trend reflects strong confidence of international investors in Việt Nam’s stable environment, he said, noting that the country has increasingly attracted major corporations in electronics, semiconductors, high technology, energy, logistics, finance, innovation, and modern services, contributing to forming new production ecosystems and supply chains in Việt Nam.

However, the Deputy PM pointed out persistent shortcomings, including weak linkages between FDI and domestic enterprises, low localisation rates in some industries, and limited capacity of local firms to integrate into global supply chains.

Against this backdrop, he stressed that Việt Nam will prioritise improving the quality, spillover effects and connectivity of FDI with the domestic economy. The country consistently regards the foreign-invested sector as an integral part of the national economy, but will now adopt a more selective investment cooperation strategy focused on high technology, innovation, added value, efficient land use, environmental protection and stronger linkages with local businesses.

The Vietnamese Government will continue to refine institutions, improve the business climate, and shift from a management-oriented to a service-oriented approach. Attention will be also given to developing domestic enterprises and supporting industries, upgrading infrastructure, and training high-quality human resources to attract next-generation FDI.

At the same time, authorities will ensure effective state management for the FDI sector, maintain economic independence and security, and promote sustainable development, he stated, adding that while creating favourable conditions for investors to operate legally and efficiently, Việt Nam will strictly address violations such as transfer pricing, trade fraud, environmental breaches and intellectual property infringements.

The Deputy PM reaffirmed Việt Nam’s ambition to become a high-income developed country by 2045, which requires a new growth model driven by innovation, technology, high-quality workforce and stronger collaboration among economic sectors.

He called on foreign investors to view Việt Nam not only as an investment destination but also as a strategic partner in global value chains, while urging domestic enterprises to enhance governance, technological capacity and cooperation to integrate more deeply into global production networks and supply chains.

The Government, he added, remains committed to building a transparent, stable and competitive business environment, fostering stronger synergy between the FDI and domestic sectors to generate new momentum for rapid and sustainable growth in the future.

Delegates discussed opportunities for attracting next-generation FDI and boosting its spillover to the domestic economy through technology transfer, higher localisation, and greater participation of Vietnamese firms in global value chains. — VNA/VNS