Investment from the RoK surges ahead
SK Group, the second-largest conglomerate in the RoK with a market capitalisation of nearly 200 billion USD, ranks among the top 100 global enterprises. The conglomerate owns approximately 200 subsidiaries spanning multiple industries, with total revenue exceeding 150 billion USD in 2024. In Vietnam, SK has invested approximately 3.5 billion USD in major corporations such as Vingroup, Masan, and pharmaceutical company Imexpharm, along with eco-friendly biodegradable materials production projects.
Rising to the top
In early January, SK divested from Vingroup. However, this did not alter its positive outlook on the Vietnamese market. A month later, SK's leadership affirmed plans to expand investment in Vietnam, focusing on key sectors such as clean energy (LNG, wind power, solar power, hydrogen), pharmaceuticals and healthcare, logistics, and information technology. SK’s increasing presence in Vietnam not only brings in significant capital but also fosters strategic partnerships, technology transfer, and sustainable growth in various key economic sectors.
![]() |
Real estate among top investment industries from the RoK. (Photo: NDO) |
Earlier in 2025, Samsung Display (the RoK) officially received an investment registration certificate to increase its capital. An additional 1.2 billion USD has been allocated to a new-generation-display manufacturing plant in Bac Ninh. The factory will produce OLED screens for mobile phones, IT devices, and automotive products. With this investment, Samsung aims to establish Vietnam as a global production hub for its new-generation displays.
Ko Tae Yeon, Chairman of the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam (KoCham), noted that among the 114 countries and territories investing in Vietnam in 2024, the RoK ranked second (after Singapore). The 7.06 billion USD in the RoK investments accounted for 18.5% of total FDI, marking a 37.5% increase compared to 2023. In January 2025, the RoK rose to the top with total investments exceeding 1.25 billion USD, representing 28.9% of total investment — 13.4 times higher than the same period last year. The cumulative the RoK’s investment in Vietnam has now reached 92 billion USD.
The RoK’s enterprises not only bring significant capital but also facilitate technology transfer, boosting Vietnam’s high-tech and semiconductor industries. Samsung, a leading conglomerate, has strategically invested in Bac Ninh, Thai Nguyen, and Ho Chi Minh City, positioning Vietnam as a key manufacturing hub in the region. LG has also been expanding its electronics manufacturing facilities in Hai Phong. Furthermore, these companies frequently collaborate with local partners to establish strong supply chains, fostering economic growth across the region.
Vietnam holds great potential in attracting FDI in sectors such as semiconductors, artificial intelligence (AI), and green energy. The country has the opportunity to become a leader in high technology, with the RoK enterprises willing to closely cooperate and drive advancements in these fields. In the near future, the RoK's firms aim to participate in key projects including the North-South high-speed railway and nuclear power development, covering everything from design and manufacturing to workforce training.
Adapting to market changes
According to a KoCham survey, 82% of the RoK businesses believe that the Vietnamese government is effectively responding to external economic fluctuations, thanks to its diplomatic capabilities and FDI-friendly policies. However, some the RoK enterprises exporting to major markets such as the US express concerns about potential policy adjustments, including tariffs and trade regulations under President Donald Trump’s administration. As a result, businesses have called on the Government of Vietnam to support the resolution of tariff-related challenges, especially for exports to the US.
The RoK investors are also focused on improving Vietnam’s infrastructure and logistics. They seek attractive incentives, particularly in high-tech equipment imports, and the reduction of customs, import taxes, and VAT refund-related barriers. Addressing administrative delays and procedural bottlenecks will enhance confidence among the RoK and other foreign investors, encouraging more investment and business expansion.
During a roundtable discussion with 35 major Korean corporations and businesses on March 4, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh highlighted Vietnam’s strong commitment to strategic reforms. The government is implementing comprehensive measures under the principle of "open institutions, seamless infrastructure, and intelligent governance and workforce" to reduce costs, enhance product competitiveness, and facilitate business operations. Infrastructure development — including transportation, logistics, energy, and digital infrastructure — will be further accelerated. Administrative reforms and smart governance initiatives remain a priority for the government.
The prime minister expressed special interest in the RoK investors and hopes that major enterprises from the RoK will further enhance their cooperation, investment, production, and business activities in Vietnam. He expects businesses to achieve higher efficiency year after year and decade after decade. The valuable experiences of these enterprises will contribute to the development of institutional frameworks and an investor-friendly business environment. In the long-term strategy, as businesses expand their investments, Vietnam is ready to serve as a key development hub and a critical link in global supply chains, facilitating the transfer of advanced technologies.
The prime minister urged Korean enterprises to collaborate with the Vietnamese government and local businesses in high-value sectors such as advanced technology, high-tech industries, and global supply chain connectivity. Additionally, investment opportunities should not be overlooked in manufacturing, real estate, infrastructure development, telecommunications, tourism, cultural industries, and entertainment. "The Vietnamese government is committed to ensuring that the foreign-invested sector remains an integral part of the national economy, safeguarding the legitimate rights and interests of investors while maintaining political stability, public security, and favourable institutional and policy frameworks to attract investment," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasised.
See also

Ho Chi Minh City’s FDI rebound attracts high-tech giants
21:23 | 19/04/2025 Investment

Korean firms encouraged to invest more in Vietnam’s energy sector
16:31 | 15/04/2025 Investment

Public investment aimed to drive Vietnam’s economic growth
10:48 | 15/04/2025 Investment

Hue calls for investment in the Chan May – Lang Co Economic Zone
23:36 | 11/04/2025 Investment

LEGO opens 1.3 billion USD green factory in Binh Duong
10:23 | 11/04/2025 Investment

Binh Dinh Province makes breakthrough in investment attraction
10:08 | 11/04/2025 Investment
See more news

Vietnam featured by French broadcaster as emerging global manufacturing hub
11:16 | 09/04/2025 Investment

Tuyen Quang calls for OVs, businesses to expand investment
16:58 | 06/04/2025 Investment

Deputy PM pledges strong support for Korean investors
18:41 | 05/04/2025 Investment

Dong Nai’s Q1 FDI attraction nears yearly target
09:36 | 02/04/2025 Investment

Work begins on two hi-tech factories in Bac Ninh province
17:46 | 31/03/2025 Investment

PM seeks aviation partnership with Brazil's Embraer Group
09:34 | 31/03/2025 Investment

Dong Nai leaders hold dialogue with FDI enterprises
17:38 | 29/03/2025 Investment

Quang Ngai seaport system requires over 420 mln USD in investment by 2030
11:09 | 28/03/2025 Investment

FDI attraction to prioritise green projects
16:24 | 26/03/2025 Investment

Work begins on two construction material plants in Hue
15:21 | 26/03/2025 Investment

Historical significance of International Workers’ Day
09:22 | 28/04/2025 Society

Imexpharm sets breakthrough growth goals at 2025 shareholders meeting
10:00 | 27/04/2025 Vietnamese Brands

Streamlining State apparatus to expand development space
13:31 | 26/04/2025 Society

Vietnam-Laos relations vital to revolutionary cause in each country: State leader
10:05 | 26/04/2025 Cooperation

US calls tariff talks with Vietnam productive
09:02 | 26/04/2025 News and Events
Multimedia

Proposed names for 34 provincial-level administrative units after mergers
16:42 | 16/04/2025 Infographic

Vietnam-China Comprehensive Strategic Cooperative Partnership
15:55 | 14/04/2025 Infographic

Vietnam's economy thrives in Q1 2025
16:45 | 12/04/2025 Infographic

Infographic: Gold prices fluctuate following US retaliatory tariff announcement
21:45 | 04/04/2025 Infographic

Seven key missions of the National Data Association
20:07 | 30/03/2025 Infographic

14th National Party Congress’s draft documents more revolutionary, action-oriented, highly feasible: PM
16:31 | 16/04/2025 Policy

Party chief requires no disruptions to operations throughout restructuring process
16:12 | 14/04/2025 Policy

District-level local governments to cease operations from July 1: draft law
16:53 | 13/04/2025 Policy

Australian scholar praises Vietnam’s remarkable 50-year transformation
16:28 | 12/04/2025 Policy

Hanoi to develop 254-million-USD industrial cluster
21:13 | 19/04/2025 Industry

Vietnam sets ambitious targets in revised national power development plan
18:56 | 17/04/2025 Industry

Prime Minister urges COMAC to support Vietnam in developing aviation industry
17:12 | 14/04/2025 Industry

Steel industry seeks solutions amid tariff "shock"
17:12 | 13/04/2025 Industry

Ho Chi Minh City’s FDI rebound attracts high-tech giants
21:23 | 19/04/2025 Investment

Korean firms encouraged to invest more in Vietnam’s energy sector
16:31 | 15/04/2025 Investment

Public investment aimed to drive Vietnam’s economic growth
10:48 | 15/04/2025 Investment

Hue calls for investment in the Chan May – Lang Co Economic Zone
23:36 | 11/04/2025 Investment

Remittances to HCM City reach over 2.41 billion USD in first quarter
08:21 | 20/04/2025 Finance-Banking

National committee meets to accelerate ODA, concessional loan disbursement
14:43 | 15/04/2025 Finance-Banking

Vietnam accelerates rollout of 500 trillion VND credit package for infrastructure and technology firms
15:36 | 12/04/2025 Finance-Banking

Hong Kong paves way for Vietnam–China finance link
19:25 | 10/04/2025 Finance-Banking

Vietnam's carbon market: Prudent approach to avoid costly outcomes
08:53 | 18/04/2025 Environment

Moc Chau Milk centers on green development and growth
16:06 | 17/04/2025 Environment

Extra efforts requested to address forest fire consequences in Quang Ninh
16:56 | 16/04/2025 Environment

Hanoi to host major green growth summit this month
16:44 | 11/04/2025 Environment

PM applauds youth entrepreneurship at National Startup Day for Students
21:40 | 20/04/2025 Science - Technology

Nuclear energy development to facilitate green transition: Conference
22:10 | 18/04/2025 Science - Technology

HCM City seeks stronger hi-tech cooperation with US, Japan, RoK
16:47 | 15/04/2025 Science - Technology

Da Nang, RoK to train next generation of Vietnamese software experts
13:24 | 11/04/2025 Science - Technology

Historical significance of International Workers’ Day
09:22 | 28/04/2025 Society

Streamlining State apparatus to expand development space
13:31 | 26/04/2025 Society

Vietnam steadily marches into new era of growth
16:35 | 21/04/2025 Society

Workers proactively enhance productivity in new era
15:32 | 21/04/2025 Society

Imexpharm sets breakthrough growth goals at 2025 shareholders meeting
10:00 | 27/04/2025 Vietnamese Brands

Petrovietnam: New milestone - New vision for sustainable development
16:21 | 21/04/2025 Vietnamese Brands

Vietnam Oil and Gas Group renamed Vietnam National Industry - Energy Group
22:18 | 10/04/2025 Vietnamese Brands

Vietnamese enterprises float products at world's largest startup fair in India
21:59 | 05/04/2025 Vietnamese Brands

Vietnamese cultural values introduced to international friends in Mexico
20:55 | 30/03/2025 Culture

Hung Kings’ Festival 2025: a grand celebration of culture and heritage
15:21 | 30/03/2025 Culture

Vietnam works to seek UNESCO status for Binh Dinh martial arts
18:00 | 29/03/2025 Culture

Nghe An to host ASEAN exhibition this May
16:47 | 24/03/2025 Culture

Digitization key to tourism breakthroughs
09:15 | 24/04/2025 Tourism

Highland products, soul of Son La’s community-based tourism
09:34 | 17/04/2025 Tourism

Vietnam’s scenic landscapes attract Hollywood filmmakers
15:15 | 30/03/2025 Tourism

Positioning unique tourism products to enhance attractiveness of Vietnamese cities
17:56 | 29/03/2025 Tourism