As such, there were 212 turns of capital contributions and share purchases to increase chartered capital of subject enterprises with value of US$199 million, as well as 203 turns of capital contribution and share purchase not directly involved in increasing chartered capital worth US$156.89 million. 

Also in January, a total of 166 newly projects got approved with registered capital of US$442.59 million, equivalent to 35.6% of the same period of 2017; 61 projects with additional funds worth US$456.7 million, up 155% year-on-year. 

In overall, total newly registered capital in January witnessed a sharp decline compared to last year, mainly due to the approval of large scale projects in January 2017 ranging from US$100 million – US$300 million (accounting for 71% of total newly registered capital in January 2017), while there is none projects worth up US$100 million in this January. 

Statistics showed that foreign investors have invested in 19 out of 21 fields and sectors in the economy as of January 2018, in which the processing and manufacturing industry contributed the largest part with US$187.1 billion, accounting for 58.4% of total investment, followed by real estate with US$53.2 billion (16.6% of total investment); electricity production and distribution came in third with US$20.8 billion (6.5% of total investment). 

That said, 125 countries and regions have ongoing projects in Vietnam, in which Korea is in top of the list with registered capital of US$58.1 billion (18.1% of total investment); followed by Japan with US$49.46 billion (15.4% of total investment), with Singapore, Taiwan, British Virgin Island and Hong Kong to follow suit. 

At present, Ho Chi Minh is proving to be the top destination for FDI attraction with US$44 billion (13.7% of total investment), followed by Binh Duong with US$30.4 billion (9.5% of total investment) and Hanoi with US$27.67 billion (8.6% of total investment). 

In 2018, Singapore is currently the largest investor to Vietnam with foreign direct investment (FDI) of US$147.7 million in January, accounting for 33.4% of newly registered capital, according to the General Statistics Office. Korea came in the second place with US$70.4 million for 15.9%; Norway claimed the third place with US$70.1 million for 15.8%; followed by British Virgin Islands with US$51.4 million for 11.6%; China with US$20.1 million, accounting for 4.5%; Indonesia of US$20 milllion for 4.5%; and Hong Kong with US$16.5 million for 3.7%.