Samsung majority owned by foreign investors as Vietnam becomes key smartphone production hub

Samsung Electronics is now majority‑owned by foreign investors, with Americans holding about 51 % of its common stock and other overseas shareholders accounting for the bulk of the remaining shares. The South Korean National Pension Service holds roughly 8 % of Samsung SDI, while domestic individual investors own about 14 %.

Nearly half of Samsung’s global smartphone output is manufactured in Vietnam. Since opening its first plant in 2008, Samsung has invested about US$23.2 billion in the country, operating six factories and an R&D centre. By mid‑2025 the Bac Ninh and Thai Nguyen facilities together produced their 2 billionth handset. Samsung Vietnam’s 2025 export turnover reached US$57.1 billion, representing roughly 13 % of the nation’s total exports and supporting a local supplier network of over 250 firms.