CaliToday (27/12/2025):In a landmark development for Southeast Asia's digital economy, Vietnam has officially completed its nationwide 5G coverage. As of late December 2025, Viettel Group, the country’s largest telecommunications provider, announced the successful activation of 30,000 5G base stations across the country, effectively blanketing Vietnam with next-generation connectivity.
From Follower to Leader
This achievement marks a pivotal shift in Vietnam's technological standing. No longer just a consumer of foreign technology, Vietnam has joined the exclusive club of nations alongside powerhouses like China, South Korea, and the United States that possess a fully developed, nationwide 5G infrastructure.
The scale of the rollout is unprecedented for the region. The 30,000 stations ensure that 5G is not merely a luxury for central business districts in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but a utility accessible in provincial capitals, industrial zones, and key remote areas, bridging the digital divide.
The "Make in Vietnam" Triumph
Perhaps the most significant aspect of this milestone is the hardware itself. Unlike many global carriers that rely entirely on equipment from foreign giants like Huawei, Ericsson, or Nokia, Viettel has achieved technological sovereignty.
"This is not just about coverage; it is about mastery," a Viettel representative stated. The network relies heavily on equipment researched, designed, and manufactured by Viettel High Tech (VHT). This "end-to-end" control from the core network to the radio access network (RAN) and transmission equipment significantly reduces national security risks and costs, while proving Vietnam’s R&D capabilities on the world stage.
Powering the Digital Economy
The activation of this massive grid is expected to supercharge Vietnam’s digital transformation strategy.
Industrial Revolution 4.0: The network supports ultra-low latency (under 5ms) and massive device connectivity, crucial for the "Smart Factory" models currently expanding in Vietnam's manufacturing hubs like Bac Ninh and Binh Duong.
Smart Cities: The infrastructure serves as the backbone for traffic management, autonomous logistics, and digital government services.
Consumer Experience: For the average user, this means speeds up to 10-20 times faster than 4G, enabling seamless 4K streaming, cloud gaming, and AR/VR applications.
A Strategic Victory
Economic analysts view this rollout as a critical competitive advantage for Vietnam in attracting Foreign Direct Investment (FDI). High-tech investors now view robust 5G infrastructure as a prerequisite for setting up operations.
By meeting the ambitious deadline of December 2025, Viettel has fulfilled the government’s mandate to turn telecommunications infrastructure into the "digital nervous system" of the economy, setting the stage for a boom in digital services in 2026.