Vietnam is changing its foreign investment strategy to get better quality investments. The government wants to attract projects with new technology and stronger connections between foreign and local companies to help the country develop.

In the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam got over 38 billion USD in foreign investment, up 58% from last year. This increase is due to large, high-tech projects, which shows an improvement in investment quality.

New foreign investment projects increased by 7.8% from last year, and new investment money more than doubled to over 21 billion USD. The average investment per project also increased, showing that big companies prefer to make strategic investments.

The manufacturing sector got the most investment, with over 18 billion USD. Many new projects are in high-value areas like semiconductors, electronics, and energy. For example, LG Innotek is building a 1 billion USD semiconductor plant in Hai Phong.

The quality of foreign investment is also shown in how it is used. Over 15 billion USD was actually spent in the first seven months, the highest in five years. Economists say this shows investors trust Vietnam's business environment and economy.

A banking expert said Vietnam is a top destination for foreign investment due to its low labor costs, stable politics, and good trade agreements.

Today, foreign companies make up about 75% of Vietnam's exports. However, the country needs to not just get more investment, but also get more value from it.

The government's plan sets big goals, including getting 200-300 billion USD in new investment and spending 150-200 billion USD, with most of it coming from developed countries.

An expert said the government's plan marks a big change in how Vietnam approaches foreign investment. Instead of just looking at how much money comes in, it prioritizes the benefits of investment, like new technology and local development.

The plan gives priority to new industries like semiconductors, artificial intelligence, and green energy, and encourages incentives based on investment quality.

An economist said better foreign investment will help Vietnam integrate into global supply chains, increase export value, and support long-term growth.

He stressed that Vietnam should focus on how well investments are used and the value they bring to the local economy, not just the amount of money.

An expert said high-quality foreign investment will drive technological advancement, innovation, and productivity as Vietnam moves beyond its advantage of low labor costs.

If the plan works, Vietnam can become a regional center for high-value industries, moving from just making things to creating new ideas and products.

This could help Vietnam move into the era of artificial intelligence and the digital economy, creating a new future for the country.