Developing comprehensive digital infrastructure around Vietnam has become a strategic priority amid the rapid progress of Industry 4.0. The Vietnamese Government has introduced several pivotal policies to foster digital infrastructure development nationwide, with the National Digital Transformation Program by 2025, with Orientations Towards 2030, standing as a significant milestone. This strategy highlights the importance of building a modern, secure, and interconnected digital infrastructure network, paving the way for economic sectors, government agencies, and individuals to actively engage in the digital ecosystem.

Cities and provinces throughout the country have conducted a host of projects to advance digital infrastructure, including expanding broadband internet networks, building data centers, and deploying technological solutions to support public administration. Cities like Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and central Da Nang city have become exemplary models in developing smart cities, integrating digital technologies into transportation, healthcare, education, and environmental management.

Leading localities

In Hanoi, 4G mobile networks and fiber-optic infrastructure now cover all communes, wards, and towns. Smartphone use has reached 90 per cent, while mobile broadband subscription rates stand at 121 per cent. Approximately 2,000 5G stations are expected to be installed in the capital by the end of this year.

Da Nang leads the country in fully online public services, achieving a rate of 95 per cent compared to the national average of 55 per cent. The proportion of documents processed entirely online is at 65 per cent; significantly higher than the average of 17 per cent. The city is also a frontrunner in smart environmental management, operating 36 monitoring stations connected directly to mobile devices and a wastewater treatment system with a total daily capacity of 33,700 cubic meters.

The National Digital Transformation Program defines digital infrastructure as comprising four key layers: telecommunications and internet networks; data infrastructure (including data centers and cloud computing); physical-digital infrastructure; and digital utility infrastructure supported by technology services.

According to Mr. Tran Minh Tuan, Director of the Digital Economy and Digital Society Department at the Ministry of Information and Communications (MoIC), Vietnam has nearly completed 4G network coverage across all localities. “In areas where electrical infrastructure remains a challenge, the government has instructed that digital infrastructure must follow wherever electricity is extended,” Mr. Tuan explained.

To address “signal dead zones”, telecom providers such as Viettel have deployed solar-powered mobile broadcasting stations in remote, rugged areas. Additionally, the MoIC has partnered with SpaceX to introduce Starlink satellite internet services starting in early 2025, aimed at improving connectivity in regions with limited telecommunications infrastructure.

Efforts to develop digital infrastructure in remote and underserved areas have also seen strong collaboration with technology companies. For instance, in the northwestern mountainous province of Dien Bien, the FPT Corporation has supported the establishment of cloud-based backup infrastructure for a data integration center and implemented advanced technologies to improve digital service quality. In northern Yen Bai province, as of June this year, after the final three remote villages received mobile network coverage from Viettel, the province had achieved a network connection rate of 95.7 per cent.

Vietnam’s data infrastructure currently includes around 30 data centers with a total capacity of 80 MW, with FPT and Viettel holding a combined market share of 60 per cent. Furthermore, the Ministry of Public Security has been tasked with developing the National Data Center, a centralized database for the entire population that meets international standards while aligning with the country’s strategic plans for information and communications infrastructure.

Promoting physical-digital infrastructure

Experts highlight that Vietnam’s physical-digital infrastructure still lacks uniform implementation among cities and provinces and requires further development to support the creation of smart cities. Mr. Tuan said the MoIC is guiding localities to comprehensively establish infrastructure with camera networks and IoT (Internet of Things) devices, enhancing connectivity and intelligent management systems.

The MoIC is also working with local Departments of Information and Communications to assess the specific conditions and needs of each locality, ensuring IoT infrastructure aligns with local realities. For example, in the Mekong Delta, IoT infrastructure is focused on addressing challenges such as saltwater intrusion and flooding. Meanwhile, in industrial hubs like Bac Ninh and Bac Giang in the north, IoT systems are designed to mitigate environmental pollution, protecting public health and promoting sustainable growth.

When it comes to digital utilities and technology-as-a-service platforms, the emphasis is on everyday-use systems, including digital identification, authentication, electronic payments, e-invoices, data integration, document authentication, e-signatures, and signature certification. According to Mr. Tuan, administrative reforms have made online processes significantly more convenient for individuals.

As of August, many localities had successfully implemented online public services under the MoIC’s guidance. Central Quang Ngai province, for instance, reduced processing times by 20 per cent for 973 online public services. In nearby Thua Thien-Hue province, the processing time for 138 administrative procedures submitted online has been drastically reduced compared to in-person submissions. Some procedures are now completed within one working day, cutting time by as much as 80 per cent.

To accelerate the development of digital infrastructure across localities, Mr. Pham Minh Hoan, Deputy Head of the Department of Information Technology at the National Economics University, stressed that leadership awareness is critical for setting the right development path, while public awareness forms the foundation. A lack of alignment between these two groups poses a significant challenge to achieving consistent implementation of digital infrastructure.

For stronger cooperation between the government and enterprises in upgrading digital infrastructure, Mr. Tuan emphasized the need for cities and provinces to review internet coverage, bandwidth quality, and other key factors based on MoIC standards. Vietnam recently phased out 2G networks to advance 4G technology, prompting local authorities to survey households without internet access or individuals without smartphones.

For households facing financial hardship, the government will provide smart devices directly. For others, local authorities and enterprises will work together to offer support or donations. By 2030, the goal is for 100 per cent of citizens to have access to high-speed fiber-optic networks (1Gb/s or more) and for 5G mobile broadband to cover 99 per cent of the population, advancing Vietnam toward a comprehensive digital economy.

The synchronized development of digital infrastructure across localities is not just an immediate task but also a long-term strategy to help Vietnam align with global trends. Amid deeper international integration, establishing modern, interconnected digital infrastructure nationwide will serve as a robust foundation for a comprehensive and dynamic digital transformation.

The future of digitalization will extend beyond major urban centers, ensuring balanced growth across all regions. With collective efforts from the government, businesses, and communities, experts are optimistic that Vietnam can achieve the ambitious goals outlined in its National Digital Infrastructure Strategy.