As a regional power with a large and dynamic population of more than 86 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 unrealized, or is just beginning to be realized.

According to Vietnam's Foreign Investment Agency, in 2008 Vietnam attracted the highest level of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) since 1988. Foreign investors promised US$64 billion to Vietnam, more than tripling the US$20.3 billion pledged in 2007. The amount of actual disbursed capital also soared by 43.2 percent compared with 2007 to US$11.5 billion.

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.

Vietnam's rapid growth is creating many investment opportunities in many sectors. With the current pace of technological innovation, there will be 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 more than a decade ago. From 2005 through 2006, the number of cell phone subscribers grew from nearly 6 million to over 17 million. The total number of cell phone subscribers in Vietnam is projected to increase to 36 million by 2010.