Nearly $7 billion in FDI has flowed into Vietnam.

According to newly released data from the General Statistics Office, total foreign direct investment (FDI) reached US$6,886.9 million, an 85% increase compared to the same period last year.

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Specifically, as of April 20, 2016, the whole country attracted 697 newly licensed projects with a registered capital of 5,082.9 million USD, an increase of 55.6% in the number of projects and an 89.9% increase in registered capital compared to the same period in 2015.

At the same time, 314 projects that had been licensed in previous years registered to increase their capital, with the additional capital reaching 1,804 million USD.

Thus, the total registered capital of newly approved projects and additional capital reached US$6,886.9 million, an increase of 85% compared to the same period last year. Foreign direct investment implemented in the first four months of the year is estimated at US$4.7 billion, an increase of 12% compared to the same period in 2015.

The manufacturing industry attracted the largest amount of foreign investment with registered capital reaching US$5,246.6 million, accounting for 76.2% of the total registered capital. This was followed by professional, scientific and technological activities with US$334.6 million, accounting for 4.9%; and the wholesale, retail, and repair of automobiles and motorcycles with US$242.5 million, accounting for 3.5%. The remaining sectors accounted for US$1,063.2 million, or 15.4%.

Hai Phong is the locality with the largest registered capital, at 1,591.8 million USD, accounting for 31.3% of the total newly registered capital.

Hanoi ranked second with $595.5 million, accounting for 11.7%; Binh Duong $329 million, accounting for 6.5%; Bac Ninh $309.3 million, accounting for 6.1%; Dong Nai $268.9 million, accounting for 5.3%; Tien Giang $236.5 million, accounting for 4.7%; and Ho Chi Minh City $222.6 million, accounting for 4.4%.

South Korea continues to be the largest investor with US$2,480.4 million, accounting for 48.8% of the total newly registered capital. This is followed by Singapore with US$502.1 million, accounting for 9.9%; Taiwan with US$430.1 million, accounting for 8.5%; Japan with US$307 million, accounting for 6%; Malaysia with US$248.1 million, accounting for 4.9%; Hong Kong Special Administrative Region with US$195.6 million, accounting for 3.8%; and China with US$177.5 million, accounting for 3.5%.

According to NDH