Vietnam has attracted 2,019 foreign direct investment (FDI) projects from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN) , with a total registered capital of 45.86 billion U.S. dollars, reported the Vietnamese Ministry of Planning and Investment (MPI) in August 2012.

According to MPI, the FDI flows from ASEAN member countries into Vietnam have increased since the country has embarked in open economic renewal, especially since it official joined the ASEAN community on July 28, 1995.

Most ASEAN investors’ projects in Vietnam have operated efficiently, such as Vietnam-Singapore Industrial Park (VSIP) by Sembcorp of Singapore, the Vietnam-Indonesia joint venture Ciputra urban quarter, the EcoLake by SP Setia of Malaysia, the Amata industrial park by Thailand, to name but a few, reported MPI.

A representative of Mapletree of Singapore said Vietnam is an attractive destination for investment due to the country’s favorable geographic conditions, appropriate economic policies, and potential for long-term economic growth. Mapletree started investing in Vietnam in 2005, and over the years it has expanded operations in logistics, real estate, office services, trade and goods retail projects.

Vietnam also expanded its investment overseas, including in ASEAN countries. So far, Vietnam has 214 projects in Laos, with total registered capital of over 3.45 billion U.S. dollars, making Laos on top among Vietnam’s investment in 60 countries and regions.

The country also has 112 projects in Cambodia, worth 2.36 billion U.S. dollars, according to MPI.