Foreign investors are stepping up their involvement in Vietnman’s industrial and energy sectors, signalling renewed confidence in the country’s manufacturing base and its long-term growth prospects according to Viet Nam News. A wave of merger and acquisition activity is beginning to reshape the competitive landscape, prompting domestic and international stakeholders to reassess the implications for the wider economy.

One of the latest developments centres on Quảng Ngãi province, where authorities have been working with Hyundai Eco Vina, part of South Korea’s HD Hyundai group, on the proposed purchase of an industrial project previously operated by Doosan Enerbility Vietnam in the Dung Quất Economic Zone, VNN reports. Regulatory procedures for the transfer are moving towards completion, with the new owner preparing to expand activity into LNG storage tank production and consolidate its position in Vietnam’s energy industry.

The proposed deal reflects a broader pattern of rising foreign participation. Analysis by Grant Thornton indicates that Korean groups have shown particular appetite for strategic acquisitions, seeking to improve production efficiency and benefit from Vietnam’s cost advantages. Their approach typically involves taking significant controlling stakes and embedding operations for the long term.

While investor interest is rising, the operating environment remains in need of refinement. Korean business leaders have been pressing for more streamlined administrative procedures and a more predictable regulatory framework, arguing that further improvements would encourage additional capital inflows and reduce operational frictions for existing investors, VNN continues.

Recent data underscore the sectors’ appeal. Grant Thornton’s latest report shows that energy-related M&A transactions reached roughly $115mn in October, while industrial production deals amounted to about $109mn. Both segments are emerging as focal points for foreign capital, supported by continued demand for infrastructure and renewable energy development.