The US$2.01 billion bulk of the foreign investment goes to 281 newly-licensed projects, mostly focusing on the areas of industry, construction, services, agro-forestry and fishery. The remaining US$397 million is added to projects in operation.

By FID statistics, the country has seen a 8.9 percent increase in the number of foreign-invested projects and a 19.7 percent rise in registered capital over the corresponding period of 2005.

FID reported that the foreign-invested projects have disbursed US$ 1.49 billion in the past five months, up 22 percent from last year.

Ho Chi Minh City still takes the lead in luring foreign investment, accounting for 30 percent of the country's total investment flow, followed by Hanoi, 24 percent, and the southern coastal province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, 15.4 percent.