HCMC – Export processing zones and industrial parks in HCMC attracted more than US$2.86 billion in investment from 2020 to 2025, surpassing the city’s target by over 14%, according to the HCMC Export Processing and Industrial Zones Authority (HEPZA).
Of the total, foreign direct investment (FDI) accounted for over US$935.3 million, while domestic capital reached VND45.4 trillion, or around US$1.9 billion, the Vietnam News Agency reported.
Investment in recent years has been concentrated in high-tech and high-value sectors such as software, telecommunications, electronics, pharmaceuticals, and precision engineering, said Le Van Thinh, head of HEPZA.
Fifteen high-tech projects were licensed, making up 6% of new projects but contributing 44.17% of new investment capital, or nearly US$860 million. Notable investors include VNG Corporation, Viettel, and Techtronic Industries.
These new projects have created over 25,000 jobs, bringing the total number of workers in HCMC’s IPs and export processing zones to more than 257,700.
Thinh added that the labor force in these zones is largely well-trained, disciplined, and familiar with industrial regulations and laws. Over 85% of workers have received vocational training, and in some companies, university graduates make up over 90% of the workforce.
The city is prioritizing high-tech and environmentally friendly projects by allocating land resources accordingly. It is also supporting key industries such as rubber-plastics, mechanical automation, and food processing, in line with HCMC’s industrial park development plan for 2022-2030 with a vision to 2045.
According to Thinh, the master plan for IPs and export processing zones has been integrated into HCMC’s overall urban development strategy for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.
Under the plan, HCMC will maintain 23 existing zones spanning 5,900 hectares and add 10 potential new ones covering 2,465 hectares, raising the total planned area to 8,369 hectares across 33 zones.
The city has also built over 531,200 square meters of multi-story factories, 5.3 times the original target, and upgraded technical infrastructure while strengthening post-licensing oversight and construction order.
