Archive · 15 Sep 2026
South Korean Investors Watch Vietnam’s Rapid Urban Transformation
South Korea became highly urbanized by building new cities, homes and transportation systems quickly.
South Korean investors see some similarities between South Korea’s experience and Vietnam’s growing cities.
Vietnam is still urbanizing, and its government wants more than half of the population to live in urban areas by 2030.
This creates opportunities for companies that can build complete communities.
These communities may include homes, schools, hospitals, shops and transportation.
South Korean investment in Vietnam is expanding beyond factories into technology, energy and smart-city projects.
Vinhomes is one Vietnamese developer building these larger communities.
Its planned projects in Ha Long and Can Gio are intended to connect infrastructure with green and smart urban planning.
South Korea was Vietnam’s largest foreign investor as of May 2025, with more than US$92 billion across 10,128 projects.
South Korean investors are increasingly targeting semiconductors, artificial intelligence, green energy, data centers and smart cities.
Vietnam’s urbanization rate was projected to reach 44.3% in May 2025, with a goal of exceeding 50% by 2030.
Vinhomes operates 32 urban areas across eight Vietnamese provinces and cities, serving approximately 650,000 residents.
Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long and Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio are planned as large, integrated urban developments focused on infrastructure, green standards and smart development.
- Who
- South Korean investors, the Korean Chamber of Commerce in Vietnam, Vietnamese authorities and developers including Vinhomes.
- What
- South Korean investors are assessing Vietnam’s urbanization and opportunities in large-scale, integrated urban development.
- When
- The investment and urbanization figures refer primarily to May 2025, with Vietnam’s urbanization target set for 2030.
- Where
- Vietnam, including projects and development opportunities in Bac Ninh Province, Ha Long and Can Gio.
- Why
- Vietnam’s urbanization potential, expanding infrastructure needs and changing consumer demands are attracting long-term investment.
- Largest foreign investor
- South Korea, with more than US$92 billion in registered capital in Vietnam as of May 2025
- South Korean projects
- 10,128 projects in Vietnam
- Vietnam urbanization rate
- Projected at 44.3% by May 2025
- 2030 urbanization goal
- More than 50%, with approximately 1,000 to 1,200 urban areas
- Vinhomes operating footprint
- 32 urban areas across eight provinces and cities
- Vinhomes residents
- Approximately 650,000 residents
- New major developments
- Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long and Vinhomes Green Paradise Can Gio