Korean Companies in Southeast Asia — 2026-09-04

Top developments

Samsung Electronics

Samsung has introduced 1,612 entirely new pieces of equipment into its semiconductor manufacturing facility in Vietnam, according to local reports on September 2, 2026. This deployment is part of a massive $4.08 billion investment project expected to become operational next year. The move signals Samsung's intent to deepen its role in Vietnam beyond phone assembly, positioning the country as a critical node in its global memory chip supply chain.

Samsung Vietnam (Profitability Update)

The four major Samsung manufacturing plants in Vietnam reported combined profits of $2.3 billion for the first half of 2026. This strong performance, driven by a surge in AI-related chip demand, highlights the resilience and profitability of Korean manufacturing hubs in Vietnam despite global market fluctuations. The results reinforce Vietnam's status as a highly profitable production base for Korean tech giants.

Vietnam FDI Landscape

Vietnam’s registered foreign direct investment capital rose by 55.4% in the first eight months of 2026 compared to the same period last year. Realized FDI reached an estimated $17.25 billion, marking the highest eight-month total in five years. While the data aggregates all foreign investors, South Korea consistently ranks among the top contributors, with this surge reflecting continued confidence in Vietnam as a primary manufacturing alternative to China.

Deals, expansion & investment

No new specific Korean corporate M&A or partnership announcements were reported within the strict 24-hour window (after 2026-09-02). However, the ongoing Samsung equipment deployment noted above represents the most significant active expansion activity during this period.

Regulation & market context

Vietnam recorded a trade deficit of $20.46 billion in the first eight months of 2026, driven largely by imports from China ($161.9 billion). This trade imbalance context is relevant for Korean companies operating in Vietnam, as it reflects the broader supply chain dynamics where raw materials and components are often sourced from China for assembly in Vietnam before export to global markets.

On the radar

• SK Hynix Japan Expansion: Reports indicate that Miyagi Prefecture in Japan is actively lobbying SK Hynix to build an advanced memory chip factory there. While this is outside Southeast Asia, it may influence future global capacity allocation decisions by Korean chipmakers.
• Korea Eximbank India Focus: The Export-Import Bank of Korea is exploring financing support for Korean firms expanding into India’s shipbuilding and critical minerals sectors, signaling a potential diversification away from sole reliance on Southeast Asian markets for certain heavy industries.

By the numbers

• $4.08 billion: Total value of Samsung’s chip manufacturing expansion project in Vietnam.
• 1,612: Number of new equipment units recently deployed into Samsung’s Vietnam chip plant.
• $2.3 billion: Combined profit of Samsung’s four Vietnam plants in H1 2026.
• 55.4%: Year-on-year increase in Vietnam’s total registered FDI for the first eight months of 2026.