4G mobile network coverage reaches 99% of Vietnamese population: Minister
Vietnam's 4G mobile network coverage now reaches 99% of the population, bringing the country close to the level of developed nations, which is at 99.4%, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed at a Q&A session as part of the 15th National Assembly’s ongoing 8th sitting on November 12.
Deputy Chu Thi Hong Thai of Lang Son province raises a question at the Q&A session. (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) - Vietnam's 4G mobile network coverage now reaches 99% of the population, bringing the country close to the level of developed nations, which is at 99.4%, Minister of Information and Communications Nguyen Manh Hung affirmed at a Q&A session as part of the 15th National Assembly’s ongoing 8th sitting on November 12.
By June 2025, all mobile network coverage gaps will be eliminated, which is both a goal and a commitment from the ministry, Hung said while answering deputies’ queries on the lack of mobile phone network in remote hamlets and villages.
For these over 700 coverage gaps across the country, the expansion of telecommunications coverage must comply with the provisions of the new Telecommunications Law and the accompanying decree. However, the decree has not yet been issued due to several delays.
According to the minister, the ministry is working hard to finalise this draft decree and submit it to the Government for approval either in November or December of this year.
Hung added that the decree will create a much more flexible regulatory environment for the construction of telecommunications towers in remote areas.
For telecoms towers in areas without electricity, the ministry has been working with the Ministry of Industry and Trade and the Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN). However, progress has been slow. As a result, the Ministry of Information and Communications is now considering the possibility of using satellite technology to expand coverage in these regions, he stated.
Regarding significant communication disruptions caused by Typhoon Yagi in the northern region in early September, the minister affirmed that the ministry will soon direct efforts to 🧸reinforce telecom infrastructure in the northern provinces and cities./.
The Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group officially launched the 5G network on October 15, becoming the first to officially provide this service in Vietnam.
The 2G mobile network will be turned off across the nation from October 16, giving room for the development of such advanced telecommunications technologies as 4G and 5G to better serve users’ increasing demand, according to an official from the Ministry of Information and Communications.
As Vietnam’s digital transformation accelerates, both the frequency and severity of cyberattacks are growing. The National Cybersecurity Association (NCA) reported that in 2024 alone, there were some 659,000 separate cybersecurity incidents, impacting around 46.15% of government agencies and businesses.
A key highlight will be the technology cluster pavilion, showcasing top enterprises selected for their innovation, market potential, and practical applications. These firms will display flagship products and solutions, supported by government policies to strengthen the tech sector.
Since 2022, more than 500 Vietnamese startups have engaged in Google’s Startup Academy, Google for Startups Accelerator, and Google Startup Masterclass. Nearly 100 of these firms received support to develop and improve their products, benefiting more than 300,000 customers and creating over 300 new jobs through successful fundraising and team expansion amidst Vietnam’s competitive economy.
Over the past three decades, Binh Duong has cemented its status as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial hubs, building a robust foundation in manufacturing, exports, and investment. The province now has 30 operational industrial parks spanning over 13,000 hectares, with an occupancy rate exceeding 90%.
The diplomat emphasised that Vietnam places the highest priority on the development of science, technology, and innovation, viewing them as critical drivers for the country’s advancement in the new development era.
The PM revealed Vietnam’s plan to develop nuclear power in the near future, and called on the Swedish side to assist Vietnam in developing and refining legal and policy frameworks for the use of nuclear energy for peaceful purposes; training and developing human resources; ensuring nuclear safety; and conducting training and drills to improve incident management capabilities.
More than an art showcase, the second “Technology with heart” contest seeks to inspire innovation and spotlight the humanistic values that technology can bring into daily life, expected to contribute to a sustainable digital future.
The average speed of the national mobile broadband network remained stable, with download speeds reaching 76.86 Mbps and upload speeds reaching 26.98 Mbps.
Under the MoU, AMD will support several key initiatives spearheaded by HCM City’s authorities, including piloting policies, co-hosting innovation events, and evaluating the investment environment within the Saigon Hi-Tech Park.
The centre is a joint initiative between Australia’s Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology, with PTIT and the University of Technology Sydney (UTS) serving as co-leads, and global telecommunications giant Nokia as founding industry partner.
The new centre, staffed by a team of scientists, researchers, and AI specialists working in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, forms part of Qualcomm’s global AI research group.
As a flagship initiative of the community project “Digital Literacy for All”, the programme forms part of a national scheme to equip 20 million young people with digital business skills.
The organisers hope the competition will help shape a generation of exceptional engineers who will make significant contributions to Vietnam’s scientific and technological progress in this era of transformation.
In the digital age and amidst the Fourth Industrial Revolution, IP plays an increasingly critical role, not only in safeguarding inventions but also in reducing copyright infringement and curbing piracy.
Ambassador Nguyen Minh Vu laid stress on the significance of the Hanoi Convention, particularly to the Asia – Pacific, to handling legal gaps in international cooperation against rapidly increasing global cybercrime.
The week features a rich lineup of activities, including a plenary conference on blockchain and AI development, thematic seminars on future technology trends and investment visions, applications of blockchain and AI in business, the Super Vietnam PitchFest, as well as forums for blockchain and AI.
According to the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, dated December 22, 2024, on making breakthroughs in the development of science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation, this is considered a decisive factor in the development of nations. It is seen as a prerequisite and the best opportunity for Vietnam to become prosperous and powerful in the new era of the nation’s rise.
Vietnam’s demographic advantage, including a youthful population of 100 million in a “golden age”, further bolsters its ambitions. Its dynamic workforce, with a natural inclination toward science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM), is a key asset in attracting private investment to innovation-driven sectors.
