Foreign-invested sector set to contribute 30% of Vietnam’s GDP by 2045: Politburo resolution

Party General Secretary and State President To Lam has signed Resolution No. 10-NQ/TW of the Politburo on the development of the foreign-invested economic sector, outlining a long-term strategy to strengthen Vietnam's position as a competitive destination for foreign capital.

Foreign-invested sector viewed as important to national economy

The resolution affirms that the foreign-invested sector is an important component of Vietnam's economy.

It is encouraged for long-term development, placed on equal footing with other economic sectors, and allowed to compete on a fair basis.

The resolution signals a shift from a primary focus on capital attraction toward building a national strategic investment platform.

Investment attraction is expected to move beyond administrative boundaries toward approaches based on industry clusters, value chains, and innovation ecosystems.

It emphasizes a renewed policy mindset and a more unified understanding of the role of the foreign-invested sector in the national economy, alongside stronger Party leadership and improved coordination among relevant agencies.

The state pledges to protect intellectual property rights, ownership rights, investment capital, income, and other lawful rights and interests of foreign investors.

It is also committed to maintaining a transparent, stable, and predictable business environment with lower compliance costs and alignment with international practices.

Ambitious investment and growth targets set for 2030, 2045

The resolution sets a goal for Vietnam to rank among leading ASEAN countries by 2030 in terms of investment and business environment quality, competitiveness, innovation capacity, public service delivery, and ability to attract high-quality foreign investment.

For the 2026–30 period, Vietnam targets US$200–300 billion in registered foreign investment, equivalent to $40–50 billion per year.

Disbursed foreign investment is expected to reach $150–200 billion, or $30–40 billion annually.

The average localization rate in key industrial sectors is projected to reach 45–50 percent.

Vietnam aims to have around 10,000 domestic enterprises participating in global value chains linked to foreign-invested firms.

It also seeks for its stock market to be upgraded by Morgan Stanley Capital International (MSCI), a global provider of equity indices and investment analytics, before 2030.

By 2045, the foreign-invested sector is expected to operate efficiently and sustainably in closer integration with the state-owned and private sectors.

It is projected to account for around 25 percent of total social investment capital and contribute about 30 percent of GDP, supporting Vietnam's goal of becoming a high-income developed country by that time.

In such context, Vietnam is expected to emerge as one of Asia's leading regional hubs for manufacturing, services, innovation and governance, with deep integration into global value chains.

The capital market is expected to be modern, transparent, and fully aligned with international standards.

Breakthrough reforms outlined to improve investment environment

The Politburo calls for comprehensive and decisive reforms in investment policy and governance to achieve the set goals.

Stronger investment promotion is urged, alongside more effective state management of foreign investment, including enhanced oversight of foreign indirect investment flows.

Unhealthy competition among localities that prioritize investment quantity over quality is to be ended.

Trade-offs between economic growth and environmental protection, natural resources, social welfare, and national economic security are firmly rejected.

Institutional reforms will be introduced to improve the investment and business environment, including special procedures and incentive mechanisms for large-scale strategic technology projects with cross-regional impact and strong potential for technology transfer.

Pilot mechanisms with advanced institutional frameworks will be implemented in international financial centers, free trade zones, economic zones, high-tech zones, and innovation hubs to attract high-quality investment while ensuring risk control.

Retrospective application of policies that negatively affect enterprises will not be permitted, except in cases involving national defense, national security, public order, public health, or environmental protection as provided by law.

Additional priorities include developing high-quality human resources, attracting and retaining talent, and upgrading infrastructure to support strategic investment inflows.

Vietnam will also renew its foreign investment attraction orientation by sector, industry and locality, prioritizing key areas such as electronics, semiconductors and digital equipment, artificial intelligence, big data, cloud computing, the Internet of Things and blockchain, advanced energy technologies and materials, and green industries.

The promotion of green and digital economies is underscored, alongside stronger technology transfer from foreign-invested enterprises to the domestic private sector to enhance spillover effects and value chain linkages.