Businesses accelerate overseas expansion

Vietnamese businesses are rapidly expanding their presence overseas, as evidenced by a surge in foreign investment in 2026. According to data from Vietnam's National Statistics Office, the country issued new investment certificates for 106 overseas projects in the first seven months of the year, with a total registered capital of $1.17 billion.

This is nearly three times the amount invested a year earlier, and 9.2 times higher on an annual basis. The total outward investment reached $2.36 billion, a four-and-a-half-fold increase compared to the same period in 2025.

The new investments went to 35 countries and territories, with Laos being the largest recipient at $638.3 million, accounting for 27% of the total. Cambodia followed with $449.9 million, or 19%, while Indonesia ranked third with $308.6 million. These figures indicate that Vietnamese firms are diversifying their investment destinations beyond neighboring countries and venturing into new markets in South Asia, Central Asia, and Europe.

Several prominent Vietnamese companies are capitalizing on this trend. Anish Daryani, founder and CEO of Havas Moonfolks and Moonfolks Vietnam, noted that the goal of taking Vietnamese businesses global is becoming a reality. Companies like Vingroup, with its VinFast ecosystem and Green SM ride-hailing service, are expanding across Southeast Asia and beyond.

In June, Vinpearl announced a $255 million strategic investment from SeaTown Private Credit Fund III, reflecting confidence from global investors in the tourism and hospitality sector.

Other notable brands, such as Pizza 4P’s, Maison Marou, Biti’s, Masan, and Coolmate, have successfully established their presence in markets like Jakarta, Tokyo, Singapore, and New York. These developments highlight the strong foundation Vietnam has built for its domestic businesses to compete at regional and international levels.

However, expanding overseas also presents challenges. Daryani emphasized that Vietnamese businesses need to further strengthen their brands, product quality, and understanding of local consumers to succeed in more competitive international markets. The ability to quickly adapt to new environments, understand local markets, and build strong brands will be crucial for Vietnamese companies seeking to establish a lasting presence abroad.

The growing ambition to expand overseas is supported by a 2026 Business Outlook Study by UOB, which found that most Vietnamese businesses plan to continue expanding their operations abroad in the next three years. Of the 226 large and medium-sized businesses surveyed, 80% plan to invest overseas within the next two years, with an average investment exceeding $28 million.

ASEAN remains the preferred destination, followed by Thailand, Singapore, and Indonesia. Despite these positive trends, economic challenges, such as shrinking profits, may impede the pace of overseas expansion.