Ericsson recently announced the inauguration of its new office in Hanoi, marking another milestone in its 32-year journey in Vietnam.

The new office further strengthens Ericsson’s presence in Vietnam and  its commitment to supporting the country’s digitalization ambitions.

Ms. Rita Mokbel, President of Ericsson Vietnam shared with VET about the development of 5G infrastructure in Vietnam as a key factor in realizing its ambitions for a digital economy by 2030.

Vietnam has set a very ambitious goal to become a high-income country by 2045, with the digital economy expected to contribute up to 30 per cent of total GDP by 2030. In particular, 5G plays a key role as critical national infrastructure. How do you evaluate Vietnam’s technology infrastructure in general and the development of 5G in particular to achieve this ambition?

Vietnam has set an ambitious goal to become a high-income economy by 2045, with the digital economy expected to contribute 30 per cent of GDP by 2030. To achieve this, the government is taking a leading role in accelerating infrastructure build-out, and advancing national programs such as the development of 100 smart cities by 2040. At the heart of these efforts is the National Digital Transformation Program, which focuses on three strategic pillars: digital government, digital economy, and digital society.

The recent launch of 5G in Vietnam is a key milestone towards realizing this vision. By leveraging science, technology, and innovation, 5G will enable enterprises to accelerate their digital transformation and help drive the adoption of Industry 4.0 across the nation. It will also act as a catalyst for the next wave of inclusive and sustainable socioeconomic development.

We greatly welcome the Ministry of Science and Technology’s initiative in encouraging operators to deploy 20,000 5G sites nationwide by 2025. We do expect that by the end of this year, operators will be on track to reach the 20,000-site target in 2025.

This will serve to strengthen Vietnam’s digital infrastructure, accelerate the country’s ambition to become a leading digital economy, and further attract foreign direct investment as industries like manufacturing and healthcare become fully digitized.

What does this mean for Ericsson’s plans in Vietnam?

Vietnam is a key market for Ericsson, with tremendous growth potential and a strong foundation for digital transformation. The country’s rapid progress in deploying 5G demonstrates its ambition and capability to become a leader in digital and technological innovation in the region, and even globally. We see Vietnam not only as a market for advanced connectivity, but also as a hub for innovation, talent, and collaboration.

In the coming years, we are committed to deepening our presence and contribution in the country. We are also focused on tapping into Vietnam’s highly skilled and dedicated workforce. By working closely with universities, research institutes, and industry partners, we aim to nurture the next generation of engineers and innovators. This collaboration will help drive advancements in key areas such as 5G, artificial intelligence, and cloud computing, and accelerate the country’s broader digitalization agenda.

Looking ahead, Ericsson will continue to strengthen partnerships across government, industry, and academia to identify opportunities for growth and innovation. By combining our global expertise with Vietnam’s strong talent base and digital ambition, we are confident that we can help the country realize its vision of becoming a regional and global leader in the digital economy.

Vietnam is one of the most dynamic digital economies in the region. What are the Vietnam’s advantages compared to other countries in the region in developing digital economy?

Vietnam’s digital economy is already expanding at one of the fastest rates in Southeast Asia, growing over 20 per  annually and already contributing more than 18% to GDP. This growth is driven by strong government commitment and very ambitious targets. A great example is the initiative for each operator to deploy 20,000 5G sites, alongside plans to phase out 2G and ensure widespread fiber coverage. These policies send a clear signal of Vietnam’s determination to accelerate digital transformation.

Another strength lies in Vietnam’s ecosystem. We see a very dynamic community of local digital businesses and startups that are developing “Make in Vietnam” solutions tailored to local needs. This is complemented by a young, tech-savvy population with high smartphone penetration and growing demand for digital services, which creates a very positive environment for innovation.

Finally, in Vietnam we see a close collaboration between government, operators, and technology providers. This alignment ensures that strategic initiatives, like 5G rollout, are effectively implemented on ground. Together, these advantages position Vietnam well to lead the region in digital economy development and capture the full potential of 5G and beyond.

Besides, what are the challenges?

While our customers are deploying 5G in major cities, there’s still a lot to be done to expand coverage to at least 90 per cent of the nation. This requires significant effort and resources from both the government and our customers. But I believe we are getting closer.

For example, the Ministry of Science and Technology's initiative to sponsor 15 per cent of the investment for any operator deploying 20,000 sites is already a great step forward. 

The other opportunity that we are working on is market readiness. When we showcase global references, they often ask for examples from Vietnam. This is because building local competence is essential. That’s why, as we work across different industries, it’s important to demonstrate capabilities locally to gain momentum and attract interest.

Traditionally, we have focused on providing the best network performance and delivering strong consumer use cases and customer experiences. But now, the need is to introduce the benefits of 5G to enterprises. We see 5G as critical for mission-critical applications today, those involving public safety, security, and defense. And all of this requires expertise and competence from both our customers and ourselves.

Do you have any recommendations for Vietnam to attract more international companies like Ericsson to realize the ambition of developing the digital economy?

We believe that accelerating the development of the digital economy in Vietnam requires a strong policy foundation that treats 5G as critical national digital infrastructure. The government is already ensuring timely and sufficient spectrum allocation, transparent licensing processes, and regulatory frameworks that encourage faster deployments.

We also recommend adopting open ecosystem models that go beyond traditional telecom boundaries. By enabling programmable networks and open APIs, operators can empower developers and enterprises to build new services on top of 5G infrastructure. 

Currently, Vietnam is at a critical moment in the development of the digital economy. I believe that 5G will significantly support the transformation process in Vietnam, promoting the growth of the digital economy. We are committed to supporting the government, the Ministry of Science and Technology, and telecommunications operators in this journey. In addition, together with partners, we will build an ecosystem to help the Vietnamese government realize its digital economy goals, and thus attract more foreign investment.