Korean Companies in Southeast Asia — October 4, 2026
Samsung Electro-Mechanics is doubling down on Vietnam with a $1.85 billion semiconductor substrate expansion to serve surging AI processor demand, while South Korean financial firms are aggressively opening securities offices across Vietnam. A Korean carpet manufacturer is simultaneously investing $100 million in Da Nang, signaling broad diversification beyond electronics.
Korean Companies in Southeast Asia — October 4, 2026
Top developments
Samsung Electro-Mechanics: $1.85B Vietnam Substrate Expansion for AI Boom
Samsung Electro-Mechanics will invest KRW2.51 trillion ($1.85 billion) to expand flip-chip ball grid array (FCBGA) semiconductor packaging substrate production capacity in Vietnam, riding the artificial intelligence processor wave. The investment is part of a larger KRW6.78 trillion ($4.9 billion) global commitment split between South Korea and Vietnam. This marks Samsung's biggest bet yet on AI-grade chip components, with Vietnam capturing over one-third of the total capital outlay. Production capacity will scale to meet demand from AI server and high-performance processor makers globally.
Korean Securities Firms Establish Major Vietnam Trading Hubs
Six major South Korean securities companies—Mirae Asset Securities, Korea Investment & Securities, Shinhan Investment, KB Securities, NH Investment & Securities, and Hana Financial Investment—have opened offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to capture Vietnam's booming capital markets. The push reflects intensifying competition among Seoul's financial sector for market share in Southeast Asia's fastest-growing equity markets, with full brokerage licenses now operational across both cities.
RoK Group Invests $100 Million in Da Nang Carpet & Yarn Plant
A Korean conglomerate is investing $100 million to build a 11-hectare carpet and BCF (bulk continuous filament) yarn manufacturing facility in Da Nang, targeting annual capacity of 16,800 tonnes of yarn and 7.8 million square meters of commercial and automotive carpets. The project reflects Korea's diversification beyond semiconductors into specialty textiles and consumer goods production in Vietnam.
Vietnamese-Korean Consortium Bags $16.3 Billion Power Plant Contract
PetroVietnam signed a construction contract worth approximately $16.3 billion with a Vietnamese-Korean contractor consortium for a massive 34,000 billion-dong power generation complex in Vietnam's Mekong Delta. The joint venture signals expanding Korean engineering and construction capabilities in regional energy infrastructure, bringing advanced power generation technology to Vietnam for the first time.
HS Hyosung Inks VinFast Auto Supply Partnership
Korean materials giant HS Hyosung and VinFast signed a component supply agreement to provide automotive materials to Vietnam's leading EV manufacturer, expanding Korean supply-chain integration into Vietnam's electric vehicle ecosystem. The deal underscores Seoul's strategy to lock supply contracts across Vietnam's emerging auto sector.
Deals, expansion & investment
Samsung Electro-Mechanics: $1.85 billion Vietnam substrate capacity expansion (part of $4.9 billion global AI chip packaging push).
Korean Securities Sector: Six firms (Mirae Asset, KIS, Shinhan, KB, NH, Hana) established Vietnam trading offices in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi.
RoK Group: $100 million Da Nang carpet and BCF yarn plant with 16,800 tonne annual capacity.
HS Hyosung–VinFast: Supply partnership for automotive materials to Vietnam's EV leader.
Petrovietnam–Korean Consortium: $16.3 billion power generation complex contract in Mekong Delta.
Regulation & market context
Vietnam's FTSE emerging-market upgrade and robust 7%+ growth forecast have triggered a rush of Korean financial-services firms seeking regional hubs. South Korea's M&A dealflow reached 62.05 trillion won in the first nine months of 2026—surpassing all of 2025—driven partly by AI infrastructure megadeals, freeing capital for outbound Southeast Asia expansion. Ready-built factory demand in northern Vietnam jumped 73% in H2 2026, favoring nimble Korean manufacturers seeking quick market entry.
On the radar
- Hyosung–Petrovietnam expansion: Watch for additional Korean conglomerate partnerships in Vietnam's energy and materials sectors following the $16.3B power plant win.
- Samsung substrate ramp timeline: Monitor production milestones for the Vietnam FCBGA fab; first full-capacity shipments expected by late 2027.
- Securities licensing rollout: Track whether smaller Korean brokers follow the Big 6 into Vietnam's $110B+ equity market.
By the numbers
- $1.85 billion — Samsung Electro-Mechanics Vietnam substrate capacity expansion
- 16,800 tonnes annual capacity — RoK Group Da Nang BCF yarn production target
- 6 major Korean securities firms now operating in Vietnam with full trading licenses
- $16.3 billion — Vietnamese-Korean consortium power plant construction contract
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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