Vietnam has reached a new milestone in digital infrastructure, with five international undersea cable systems now operated and partially owned by Vietnamese enterprises. This marks the first time the country has achieved such a level of self-reliance in global connectivity, reinforcing its ambition to become a regional data hub. According to the national strategy for developing international undersea cable networks through 2030, with a vision toward 2035, Vietnam is determined to build and manage its own cable systems to safeguard digital sovereignty.
The roadmap sets ambitious goals, including deploying at least 10 new cable routes by 2030, bringing the total to no fewer than 15 systems with a combined capacity of 350 Tbps. Importantly, two of these projects are expected to be fully Vietnamese-owned, directly connecting the country to major regional hubs. Deputy Minister of Science and Technology Pham Duc Long noted that Vietnamese firms have already begun construction on the first entirely self-managed undersea cable, with a direct link to Singapore and agreements signed for completion in 2026.
At the center of this progress is Viettel, which has steadily expanded its undersea portfolio over the past 15 years. Its involvement spans multiple projects such as the Asia-America Gateway (AAG), Intra Asia (IA), Asia Pacific Gateway (APG), Asia-Africa-Europe 1 (AAE-1), and most recently, the Asia Direct Cable (ADC). Among these, IA provides the fastest connection between Vietnam and Singapore, while AAE-1 is the sole route linking Vietnam to Europe and Africa. The ADC cable, inaugurated in December 2024 and commercially launched in April 2025, offers a maximum capacity of 50 Tbps and connects directly to Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan. Viettel is the only Vietnamese company operating a landing station for ADC, located in Quy Nhon, further positioning the city as a potential data transit hub.
As of mid-2025, Viettel operates five active systems, accounting for 65% of Vietnam’s international bandwidth. This network underpins critical technologies such as 5G, AI, cloud computing, and IoT. Looking ahead, Viettel aims to participate in 10 international systems by 2030, with at least one cable fully designed and managed domestically – a landmark first for the industry.
The expansion of undersea infrastructure reflects Viettel’s broader shift from a traditional telecom provider into a modern technology company, supporting platforms across cloud, satellite, and even future 6G networks. Other players, including VNPT, FPT, and CMC, are also accelerating their investments, ensuring that Vietnam continues to strengthen its digital backbone and position itself as a regional hub for data exchange.
(Source: Vietnamnet)
