At the seminar "How 5G Commercialization Impacts Vietnam's Economy" on December 29, experts and telecom leaders presented a multi-faceted picture of private networks, ranging from modern smart city projects to internal barriers within domestic factories.

In 2025, major Vietnamese carriers made significant strides in deploying 5G networks, demonstrating a strong commitment to the Government and national strategic goals. 

Notably, Viettel installed 23,500 new stations, bringing the total to 30,000, achieving 90 percent outdoor and 70 percent indoor coverage.

Globally, 5G is categorized into three main groups: 5G for individual users (B2C), 5G for households (5G to Home), and 5G for enterprises/governments (5G to B/G). While public mobile networks serve individual needs, private networks are considered the backbone of a deep-tier economy. 

These are network solutions specifically designed for each organization, enterprise, or specific area, ensuring low latency and high security.

Vu Hoang Lien, Chair of the Vietnam Internet Association (VIA), said a key strength of 5G is the Internet of Things (IoT), the foundation for building smart environments (factories, enterprises, cities). New technologies like 5G have transformed socio-economic life, contributing significantly to the national economy.

In Vietnam, major carriers have begun deploying private network models following different strategic directions.

Nguyen Quoc Khanh from VNPT said that since the launch of 5G, VNPT has tested private networks for a higher education model. The operator is also currently working with partners to deploy smart factories in Tay Ninh and Hai Phong, while also researching applications for seaports and airports.

VNPT uses advanced technologies such as Network Slicing and Network APIs on Standalone (SA) architecture to create “tailor-made” solutions for each customer.

Meanwhile, Nguyen Tuan Huy from MobiFone said the company is focusing on private networks for urban governance, including flood prevention, smart parking, smart energy, and national security (B2G).

He stressed that 5G is “still the first step, laying the foundation for the digital economy, new business models, and digital solutions,” and predicted that the real boom would only be seen in 2026.

He cited examples showing the necessity of private networks in urban management. For instance, key traffic routes require private networks so that AI cameras can communicate with systems at low latency.

For Viettel, the operator provided private networks to the Pegatron factory in Hai Phong from an early stage. With an infrastructure of 30,000 5G base stations nationwide, Nguyen Ha Thanh, deputy CEO of Viettel Telecom, said this is a necessary condition for private applications to surge in the near future for both enterprises and government agencies.

The gap between expectations and reality

Explaining why private networks have yet to boom in the business sector (B2B), Nguyen Tuan Huy noted that Vietnam’s industry has very low levels of automation. As a result, demand for truly smart factories is still limited.

Nguyen Quoc Khanh added that another challenge is the complexity of private networks, which require deep integration among the cloud, AI, edge computing, and each industry’s operational technology (OT) systems.

Enterprise customers must be willing to co-invest in infrastructure and compatible equipment, rather than rely solely on telecom operators.

Dr Mai Liem Truc observed that the results of private network deployment in Vietnam are different from earlier expectations. Previously, experts believed private networks would grow strongly and become a major revenue source for telecom operators with the advent of 5G. In reality, individual customers remain the main contributors to revenue.

He noted that 5G deployment in specialized areas such as seaports and industrial facilities has been relatively slow. One reason is that telecom operators have not done well in encouraging and clearly explaining the tangible benefits of 5G for enterprise management.

In addition, businesses remain cautious about technical and legal issues, such as spectrum allocation. He said that though telecom operators are dynamic, they still carry a state-owned enterprise mindset and are sometimes less proactive than private companies in engaging with and solving customer needs.

However, Truc said that private networks are a major revenue source that carriers need to further consider for effective exploitation. The former leader of the Ministry of Post and Telecommunications noted: "We should not passively wait for another two or three years when business demand grows; proactive action is needed right now.”

Du Lam