Under the Politburo's Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW on accelerating breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, Vietnam is stepping up efforts to master strategic and digital technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI), 5G and 6G mobile networks, satellite communications and other emerging technologies by 2030.

As the resolution is rolled out, Vietnamese telecommunications companies are building on the momentum of 5G commercialisation, pursuing distinct development strategies that capitalise on their strengths while enhancing market competitiveness.

The Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group (Viettel) became the country’s first operator to launch commercial 5G services on October 15, 2024, aiming to expand coverage across all provinces and cities, industrial zones, research facilities, transport hubs, seaports and airports.

The Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) followed with ultra-high-speed 5G services from December 10, 2024, prioritising key socio-economic areas and allowing users to access services without requiring new subscription packages. MobiFone officially entered the 5G market on June 23, 2025, initially focusing on major urban centres.

According to the Ministry of Science and Technology, commercial 5G coverage had reached 91.2% of Vietnam’s population by December 2025, placing the country among the world's fastest nations in 5G deployment. Beyond technical progress, the expansion has helped create a more balanced digital infrastructure, narrowing development gaps between regions as well as between urban and rural areas.

Building on these achievements, Vietnamese enterprises are now turning toward 6G, the next generation of mobile technology expected to deliver ultra-fast data transmission, near-zero latency, integrated AI capabilities and satellite connectivity. The technology is anticipated to power advanced applications ranging from the Internet of Things and data centres to long-distance communications and next-generation digital services.

At the Mobile World Congress (MWC) 2026 in Barcelona, three Vietnamese technology firms - FPT, Viettel and VNG - joined a global alliance on 6G development initiated by Qualcomm. The alliance gathers leading global technology and telecom companies, including Google, Meta, Microsoft, Samsung, Nokia, LG and T-Mobile, to develop a roadmap aimed at commercialising 6G by 2029.

Under its vision, 6G will function as an AI-native platform, integrating connectivity, large-scale sensing and high-performance computing into a unified technological foundation. Future networks are expected to feature integrated sensing radio systems, virtualised radio access networks (RAN), AI-driven automation and advanced edge-and-cloud data centres capable of handling next-generation AI workloads.

FPT Chairman Truong Gia Binh said participation in the alliance will strengthen the company’s ability to transform advanced technologies into practical solutions across industries and markets, while enhancing capabilities in strategic fields such as smart transport, autonomous aerial systems, smart manufacturing and advanced digital engineering.

Viettel, which has already partnered with Qualcomm in deploying large-scale Open RAN 5G infrastructure, will expand cooperation into 6G research and development, sharing a long-term vision of intelligent, automated and AI-integrated connectivity. The group views 6G commercialisation not only as providing telecom services but also as developing and supplying domestically researched and manufactured 6G technologies, including network equipment, software platforms and AI-enabled device ecosystems.

Its participation in the global alliance highlights Viettel’s commitment to mastering core technologies from the early stages while helping Vietnamese technologies integrate more deeply into global value chains.

Meanwhile, technology firm VNG aims to develop AI agents serving hundreds of millions of users across Vietnam and Southeast Asia, with 6G infrastructure seen as a key enabler of this ambition.

The global 6G alliance marks not only a technological milestone but also an opportunity for Vietnamese enterprises to strengthen their position on the global technology landscape. With the involvement of FPT, Viettel and VNG, Vietnam is gradually emerging as an early mover in the development and application of 6G technology./. VNA