Business Environment in Vietnam (cont.1)

3. Foreign direct investment
Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam increased by 2622.50 USD Million in the fourth quarter of 2015. In 2015, FDI surged 17.4 percent to a record of 14.5 USD Billion. South Korea was the biggest investor with $3 billion for display module production by a unit of Samsung Electronics. Malaysia pledged $2.4 billion for coal power plant to be built by Janakuasa. Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam averaged 3650.77 USD Million from 2001 until 2015, reaching an all time high of 25790.92 USD Million in the second quarter of 2008 and a record low of -2649.50 USD Million in the fourth quarter of 2006. Foreign Direct Investment in Vietnam is reported by the General Statistics Office of Vietnam.

FDI in Vietnam from 1990 – 2010 present by countries

 
 
Government incentives
 
The Vietnam Government provides attractive incentives for both foreign and domestic investors with preferences in land rental, import-export duty, corporate income tax. Depending on the operation fields of company’s operation, foreign investor shall enjoy different level of investment incentives.
Conditions for incentives
Incentives may be offered under these circumstances:

• Investment in the fields under the list of special attractive incentive projects
• Investment in the field under the list of attractive incentive projects
• Investment in the areas under the list of special difficulty socio-economic location
• Investment in the areas under the list of difficulty socio-economic location

See Annex II - List of Investment Incentive sectors;
Annex III – List of Investment Incentives Geographical Areas
 
Regulatory framework
When setting up a business in Vietnam, it is important that you are familiar with:

• The tax, National Insurance and VAT systems
• The legal system, and what laws and regulations may affect your business
• Health and safety regulations
• Environmental considerations
• Licensing
• Immigration status (e.g. of your staff)
• Intellectual property, including patents, copyright and trademarks.

 
Foreign loans
The requirement to register foreign loans agreement at the National Bank of Vietnam is applied to medium term loan with amount of equivalent to US$ 1.00 million and above. Although loans are not subject to approval, they need to be registered so that the Bank can follow up the flow of foreign currency.