A strong digital infrastructure is also considered a prerequisite for mastering and effectively exploiting strategic technologies such as AI, IoT, Big Data, Cloud, Blockchain, semiconductors, and 5G and 6G.
Digital infrastructure comprises four main components: telecommunications and internet infrastructure, data infrastructure, physical–digital infrastructure, and digital utility and technology infrastructure. Viet Nam’s approach is to plan and deploy digital infrastructure in parallel and synchronisation with transport, electricity, lighting, underground works, and other technical infrastructures.
Significant progress recorded
The digital economy now plays a crucial role in the global economy. In Viet Nam, it is projected that by the end of 2025, the digital economy will contribute around 20% of GDP, with Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo setting the target of 30% by 2030. Among the five key pillars identified by the World Bank (WB) to ensure digital economic growth, digital infrastructure remains the top priority.
Professor Ho Tu Bao of the Viet Nam Institute for Advanced Study in Mathematics, who is a member of the National Advisory Council on Science, Technology, Innovation and Digital Transformation, noted that a strong digital infrastructure requires a complete system of hardware and equipment at all levels, from end-user devices to servers, data storage, and high-performance computing, while ensuring broad high-speed network connectivity. Data must also be “accurate, sufficient, clean, and live,” built under a unified architecture and shared system to prevent data fragmentation. In terms of application infrastructure, it must provide adequate platforms and tools to support all socio-economic activities.
According to the Authority of Telecommunications (Ministry of Science and Technology), domestic telecommunications enterprises have deployed about 318,000 base transceiver stations providing 3G, 4G, and 5G broadband coverage to over 99.8% of the population. For 5G specifically, Viet Nam targets the installation of nearly 69,000 stations by the end of 2025, equivalent to more than 57% of the number of 4G stations, covering 90% of the population and progressing to 99% by 2030.
Viet Nam currently has around 105 million mobile broadband internet subscriptions and approximately 25 million fixed broadband subscriptions. Optical fibre networks have reached all communes and wards nationwide, with a total length exceeding 1.2 million kilometres. IPv6 deployment has surpassed 60%, placing Viet Nam second in ASEAN and ninth globally.
Viet Nam’s data infrastructure has also made significant strides in recent years. According to the VNCDC 2024 Report, the cloud computing market in Viet Nam reached nearly 19.375 trillion VND (approximately 775 million USD) in 2024 and is projected to rise to 1.24 billion USD in 2025 and double by 2029. Data centre capacity is expanding rapidly, from 45 MW in 2024 to an estimated 525 MW in 2025 and nearly 1,000 MW by 2030.
However, Professor Ho Tu Bao also pointed out several limitations in the country’s digital infrastructure development, including the shortage of high-performance computing systems, which are necessary for processing large datasets and advancing strategic technologies. Viet Nam’s data systems still lack a unified architecture, hindering interoperability and sharing. Meanwhile, although digital utilities and technologies have been widely deployed, particularly in online public services, they still make limited use of core technologies and big data.
Transparent legal framework
The Digital Infrastructure Strategy to 2025, with orientations to 2030, emphasises that the state will create a favourable environment for enterprises of all economic sectors to participate in investment and development of digital infrastructure. The strategy will help telecommunications and digital technology enterprises define new development spaces and directions for the 2024–2030 period.
Under Decision No. 620/QD-TTg, which approves the restructuring plan of the Viet Nam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) to 2025, VNPT is implementing key steps to transform itself into a technology group with digital infrastructure, digital technology, and digital services at its core, owning and operating essential national digital infrastructure platforms.
Nguyen Quoc Khanh, Deputy Director of VNPT’s Technology Division, stated that VNPT is striving to lead in building, developing and mastering national digital infrastructure based on core technologies such as 5G, Cloud, IoT, AI, Big Data, and Blockchain — ensuring sovereignty, security, and safety.
The group has established principles for building an open, flexible and reliable multi-layer digital infrastructure. Specifically, the infrastructure will feature “digital highways” with multiple priority lanes (flexibility), standardised gateways (openness) and controlled access (reliability). Notably, the system will be automated and energy-efficient to reduce costs, while revenue sharing will be promoted to foster ecosystem-wide growth.
To build a robust digital infrastructure, Professor Ho Tu Bao emphasised that the state must continue improving policies and ensure that sectoral, regional and provincial planning is ready for digital infrastructure development. The legal framework and related laws must be transparent, coherent, and free from institutional bottlenecks.
Furthermore, the state should establish a national digital transformation architecture, highlighting a unified national data framework that allows sharing and utilisation across various levels. Digital infrastructure must also be resilient and adaptable to natural disasters and cyberattacks. In terms of human resources, it is vital to cultivate a team of highly skilled experts to research, develop, and master strategic technologies.
Nguyen Thi Ngoc Dung, Chief of Office of the National Data Association, stated that the Data Law and the Law on Personal Data Protection (2025), recently approved by the National Assembly, mark a strategic step forward, reflecting a vision of transforming data into a source of national strength.
In the coming period, the National Data Association will focus on standardising the national data architecture by issuing the Strategic Data Framework and Data Evaluation Criteria, while promoting the development of core technologies owned by Vietnamese enterprises through investment programmes from dedicated funds to form a domestic data industry. Notably, the association will soon launch a Global Data Experts Network of nearly 100 scientists, ready to collaborate on national challenges and assist Viet Nam in perfecting its legal framework for data governance.
