As of January 20, the country granted new investment licences to 127 projects worth over US$1 billion, a year-on-year rise of 157.9 percent, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment’s Foreign Investment Agency.

Meanwhile, 56 projects registered an additional US$323.4 million to their capital, up 19.2 percent.

The disbursement of FDI projects is estimated to reach US$800 million, a yearly increase of 23.1 percent.

The foreign investment sector also recorded US$9.74 billion in exports (including crude oil), an annual rise of 3.2 percent, making up 70.6 percent of Vietnam ’s total export turnover.

Overseas businesses pumped investment into 16 sectors, particularly processing and manufacturing, which attracted 58 newly-registered projects and over US$905 million in both new and additional capital, accounting for 67.8 percent of the total registered investment in January.

Over the month, 24 countries and territories ran investment projects in Vietnam . Singapore took the lead with the total newly-registered and additional capital of US$295.47 million, accounting for 22.1 percent of the total investment in Vietnam .

Malaysia and China were in second and third with US$243.57 million and US$179.51 million respectively, making up 18.2 percent and 13.4 percent of the total investment in Vietnam .

Foreign investors injected money into 29 cities and provinces across Vietnam . Hanoi was the most attractive destination with 15 newly-licensed projects and seven increasing their capital, worth US$243.51 million in total or 18.2 percent of the country’s total investment.

The runner-ups were southern Dong Nai province and Ho Chi Minh City with a respective total newly-registered and additional capital of US$183 million and US$163.43 million.