9-10-2024 (HANOI) The Vietnamese government has announced a bold strategy to significantly upgrade its digital infrastructure, aiming to launch two new undersea internet cables and roll out nationwide 5G mobile services by the close of 2025. This ambitious plan, part of a comprehensive digital infrastructure development strategy, was officially signed by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh on Wednesday.
Vietnam, which has established itself as a key manufacturing hub in the region, has faced challenges with its existing internet infrastructure. The country’s five major undersea cables, now showing signs of age, have experienced frequent outages in recent years, prompting this push for modernisation.
The announcement comes amid reports of diplomatic pressure from the United States, urging Vietnam to steer clear of Chinese contractors for the construction of these new undersea cables, citing security concerns. This development underscores the geopolitical implications of digital infrastructure projects in the region.
Looking further ahead, the Vietnamese government has set even more ambitious targets for 2030. The strategy envisions providing the entire population with access to fibre-optic internet services, promising speeds of at least 1Gbps. Furthermore, the country aims to be at the forefront of mobile technology, with plans to commence testing of 6G services by the end of the decade.
The long-term vision doesn’t stop at connectivity. The government’s statement also revealed plans to establish AI data centres and hyperscale data centres by 2030, positioning Vietnam as a potential digital powerhouse in Southeast Asia.
While Vietnamese mobile carriers have been conducting 5G trials for several years, large-scale commercial availability of the service has yet to materialise. This new strategy signals a strong commitment to accelerating the deployment of advanced mobile technologies across the nation.
