Of the total, more than US$100 million came from 71 newly-licensed projects while the remainder came from 19 others which raised their capital by US$96 million.
Most of the overseas investment focused on science and technology at US$82 million, equivalent to 41% of the total. It was followed by information and telecommunication with US$32 million, equivalent to 16% of the investment.
Vietnamese firms invested in 29 countries and territories in the period. Spain lured the lion's share of investments with US$59.8 million, just under a third of the total.
The US came next with US$45 million or 19%. Other destinations for Vietnamese investments were Australia, Malaysia, South Africa and Canada.
Last year, Vietnam’s investment overseas reached US$432.1 million. Among 38 countries and territories receiving Vietnamese investments, Laos led with US$81.5 million, followed by Australia and the US.