Viet Nam’s total outbound investment in 2018 was an estimated US$432 million, according to the General Statistics Office.

Of that number, $376.2 million was poured into 149 new projects while the remaining $56 million was pledged to existing projects.

A breakdown of sectors shows the banking and financial sector received the largest share of Vietnamese investment at $105.8 million, equivalent to 24.5 per cent of the total investment, followed by $82.9 million to retail, wholesale and vehicle repair.

The agricultural sector received $52.3 million (12.1 per cent) and manufacturing received $52.1 million (12 per cent).

Among the 38 countries and territories where Vietnamese investors are active, Laos was the largest recipient with $81.5 million, followed by Australia and the United States, which received $55.5 million and $53 million, respectively. — VNS