Vietnam reaps sixth straight record year in foreign investment

Trade war drives 9% gain in 2018, pulling garment production from China

20190109N Hanoi factory

The garment industry is shifting production out of China and into Vietnam, such as at this factory near Hanoi, in order to avoid higher U.S. tariffs. © Reuters

TOMOYA ONISHI, Nikkei staff writer

HANOI -- Foreign direct investment in Vietnam climbed 9.1% in 2018 to reach $19.1 billion, the government reports, marking a sixth straight annual record as capital keeps flowing into one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing economies.

Industries such as apparel have been moving production out of China and into Vietnam looking to escape the higher U.S. tariffs. A prolonged trade war is expected to accelerate this shift.

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