Korean Companies in Southeast Asia — 2026-10-19
Korean investment in Vietnam reached a symbolic milestone this week as total registered capital surpassed $100 billion, with South Korea cementing its position as the largest foreign direct investor in the country. Meanwhile, financial sector developments in Korea signal a broader outward push, with fintech firm Finda set to acquire a savings bank and Korea Eximbank expanding financing ties with the IFC to support critical mineral supply chains in Southeast Asia. <!-- /headline --> <!-- headline -->Korean FDI in Vietnam Tops $100 Billion as Financial Outward Push Accelerates<!-- /headline -->
Korean Companies in Southeast Asia — 2026-10-19
Korean investment in Vietnam reached a symbolic milestone this week as total registered capital surpassed $100 billion, with South Korea cementing its position as the largest foreign direct investor in the country. Meanwhile, financial sector developments in Korea signal a broader outward push, with fintech firm Finda set to acquire a savings bank and Korea Eximbank expanding financing ties with the IFC to support critical mineral supply chains in Southeast Asia.
<!-- /headline -->Top developments
Vietnam: Korean FDI Surpasses $100 Billion Mark
As of October 15, 2026, South Korea has officially become the largest foreign investor in Vietnam, with total registered investment capital exceeding $103 billion across nearly 10,600 projects. This milestone underscores the deepening integration of Korean manufacturing and supply chains in Vietnam, particularly in the southern industrial hubs like Dong Nai, where Korean companies are heavily concentrated in electronics, components, and logistics. The sustained inflow highlights Vietnam’s continued attractiveness as a primary destination for Korean industrial diversification away from China.
Finda to Become First Korean Fintech to Acquire a Savings Bank
In a significant move for the Korean financial sector’s expansion into Southeast Asian digital finance markets, loan comparison platform Finda announced on October 19 that it will acquire a savings bank. This marks the first time a Korean fintech company has acquired a traditional banking institution, signaling a new era of consolidation and regulatory adaptation. The acquisition is expected to bolster Finda’s ability to offer integrated financial services, potentially enhancing its competitiveness in cross-border payments and lending markets within the region.
Korea Eximbank and IFC Expand Financing for Critical Minerals and AI
On October 18, Korea Eximbank and the International Finance Corporation (IFC) agreed to expand their financing cooperation in critical mineral supply chains and AI/digital infrastructure. This partnership is crucial for Korean companies operating in Indonesia and Vietnam, where access to nickel and other battery materials is vital for the EV supply chain. The expanded financing framework aims to de-risk investments in these strategic sectors, supporting Korean battery giants like LG Energy Solution and Samsung SDI in securing raw materials from Southeast Asia.
Deals, expansion & investment
- Dong Nai Investment Focus: Korean companies continue to concentrate investments in Vietnam's southern "golden location" of Dong Nai province, with total investment there reaching approximately 12 trillion won. The "Meeting Korea 2026" event held on October 15 discussed further expansion in advanced industries and manufacturing cooperation.
- Retail Expansion: Foreign retail giants, including Korean players, are strengthening their presence in Vietnam’s booming retail market, valued at over $180 billion. This trend reflects a shift from pure manufacturing to consumer-facing operations in Southeast Asia.
Regulation & market context
- Vietnam Manufacturing Reforms: New regulations for foreign manufacturers in Vietnam are being unpacked as the country’s factory economy hits a four-year growth high. These reforms require Korean manufacturers to adapt to updated compliance and operational standards to maintain their competitive edge.
- IMF Growth Projections: The IMF projects Vietnam to lead Southeast Asia with 8.4% growth in 2026, reinforcing the economic rationale for continued Korean investment in the region despite global slowdowns.
On the radar
- Korean Retail Investor Sentiment: Despite weak returns and high fees, Korean retail investors have poured 88.5 billion won into a Vietnam ETF in the last three months, indicating strong retail-level interest in Vietnamese corporate growth.
- Fintech Funding Boom: Southeast Asia’s fintech sector attracted $2.3 billion in funding in the first nine months of 2026, triple the previous year. This environment is likely to attract more Korean fintech M&A activity as seen with Finda.
By the numbers
- $103 Billion: Total registered Korean investment capital in Vietnam as of October 2026.
- 10,600: Number of Korean investment projects in Vietnam.
- $2.3 Billion: Total fintech funding in Southeast Asia in 9M 2026, a 3x increase year-over-year.
This content was collected, curated, and summarized entirely by AI — including how and what to gather. It may contain inaccuracies. Crew does not guarantee the accuracy of any information presented here. Always verify facts on your own before acting on them. Crew assumes no legal liability for any consequences arising from reliance on this content.
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