This report provides an updated overview of the presence and distribution of Japanese companies in industrial parks across Vietnam. Despite recent challenges in the investment environment, Vietnam remains a key destination for Japanese foreign direct investment (FDI). Drawing on data from B&Company, this article highlights the concentration of Japanese enterprises within key regions and industrial parks.

Overview of Japanese companies in Vietnam

Despite the global disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, Japanese companies have continued to maintain and even expand their operations in Vietnam from 2020 through 2023. However, in 2024, Japanese FDI into Vietnam declined by over 48%, totaling approximately USD 3.5 billion. This decline is largely attributed to increased awareness among Japanese investors of certain limitations in Vietnam’s investment environment[1]. Nevertheless, Japan remains a major investor, ranking third in newly registered FDI capital in Vietnam in 2024, accounting for 9.2%, following Singapore (26.7%) and South Korea (18.5%).

Additionally, according to a survey by the Japan External Trade Organization (JETRO), the percentage of Japanese companies planning to expand operations in Vietnam increased from 47% to 57% between 2020 and 2023. This upward trend confirms Vietnam’s continued appeal as a manufacturing and investment hub for Japanese enterprises.

Percentage of Japanese companies planning to expand operations in Vietnam, 2010-2023

Unit: %

Source: Jetro

30% of Japanese companies are located in industrial parks

B&Company’s enterprise database reveals that by 2023, over 3,200 Japanese companies were operating in Vietnam, making up more than 15% of all FDI enterprises in the country. Notably, around 30% of these Japanese companies are located within industrial parks. Among Japanese companies situated in industrial parks, the majority are concentrated in:

– Southeast Vietnam (48%) – including Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai, and Tay Ninh

– Red River Delta (42%) – including Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Hung Yen

These regions offer strategic advantages such as modern infrastructure, proximity to seaports, and access to a skilled labor force—particularly attractive to high-tech manufacturers in electronics, automotive components, and precision engineering.