As a regional power with a large and dynamic population of more than 82 million people and an economy that is growing at a fast but sustainable rate, Vietnam has many attractive characteristics and promising prospects for traders and investors. But much of this potential has thus far remained unrealised, or is just beginning to be realised.

According to Vietnam's Ministry of Planning and Investment Statistics, US companies' direct investment at the end of 2004 was just over $1.28 billion. Counting investment by US subsidiaries in the region, the total figure realised by US-related direct investment in Vietnam reached $2.6 billion, still a small share of the more than $20 billion in total realised foreign direct investment in Vietnam.

US traders are already doing substantial business with Vietnam, but US investors must still be convinced that the rewards for investing in Vietnam outweigh the risks. Future trends for an improved investment climate are positive both for greater rewards and reduced risks.

A wide range of sectors offer investment opportunities to US firms, from animal feed processing to energy production and electric power generation, and from information technology to vehicle manufacturing.

Vietnam's rapid and sustainable growth is creating many investment opportunities in many sectors. With the current pace of technological innovation, there are new investment opportunities in the future. For example, the lucrative mobile phone market in Vietnam today was minuscule when the American Embassy first opened its doors in Hanoi a decade ago, and now, there are nearly 6 million cell phone subscribers in the country. The total number of cell phone subscribers in Vietnam is projected to increase to 21 million in 2008.