Vietnam’s Internet infrastructure ready to power low-altitude economy

According to data from the i-Speed measurement platform operated by the Vietnam Internet Center under the Ministry of Science and Technology, 5G speeds in Vietnam recorded a clear increase in January.

During the Mobile World Congress 2026 recently held in Barcelona, Spain, the VinaPhone network, operated by the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT), was the only Vietnamese representative to receive the ‘Best 5G Network Award in Vietnam and Southeast Asia’ from Ookla, a leading global telecom speed-testing organization.

VinaPhone’s 5G network quality has also been recognized regionally and internationally.

The carrier outperformed major regional players such as Singapore’s Singtel, Unifi of Malaysia, and AIS of Thailand to be named the ‘Best 5G Network in Southeast Asia’ for two consecutive quarters, the third and fourth quarters of 2025.

Vietnam's fixed broadband speed reached 261.8 Mbps in August 2025, placing the country among the world's top 10 markets for broadband performance.

In this segment, Viettel led domestic providers with an average speed of 272.9 Mbps, surpassing Iceland, which ranked eighth globally.

Vietnam now ranks among the strongest developing economies in broadband infrastructure, trailing only advanced markets such as Singapore, South Korea, and the United States.

Beyond traditional connectivity, Vietnam is also expanding into satellite Internet.

Licensed in mid-February to provide satellite Internet services in Vietnam, Starlink Services Vietnam Co., Ltd., the Vietnam unit of the U.S.-based Space Exploration Technologies Corporation (SpaceX), is expected to help enhance connectivity in remote and hard-to-reach areas.

The Radio Frequency Department under the Ministry of Science and Technology granted approval for the company to deploy four stations, located in Phu Tho Province, northern Vietnam, Da Nang City, central Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City.

The four stations form part of Starlink’s initial roll-out phase, which aims to provide satellite Internet access to up to 600,000 user terminals.

With this development, Vietnam has a broad and powerful Internet infrastructure combining fiber-optic networks, mobile wireless connectivity, and low-orbit satellite connections.

Coordinated preparation required

At a meeting on February 25 regarding science and technology development, innovation, digital transformation, and the national digital identity initiative, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh called for faster commercial deployment of low-Earth-orbit satellite Internet and nationwide 5G coverage.

Once fully deployed, 5G with its high speeds and low latency will provide the foundation for Industry 4.0 applications, smart cities, automated manufacturing, telemedicine, and digital education.

Meanwhile, low-Earth-orbit satellite Internet, with its wide coverage and minimal latency, is expected to complement 5G by creating a more flexible connectivity layer.

In Vietnam, drone-based cargo delivery is currently still in the testing phase.

Trial flights have been conducted at the Saigon Hi‑Tech Park in Ho Chi Minh City to evaluate operational capacity, system stability, and safety conditions for applying unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) to real-world delivery scenarios.

“After the initial testing phase, UAV developers are continuing to refine technical solutions while working with relevant authorities to ensure full legal compliance before considering broader deployment,” said Nguyen Ngoc Dat, CEO of Di Dong Viet, which is participating in pilot programs to test drone delivery in real-world conditions.

From the perspective of a logistics service user, Dat emphasized that telecommunications and data connectivity infrastructure would be crucial if UAV delivery systems are rolled out on a larger scale.

“Flight coordination systems, route monitoring, safety management, and cargo handling all require stable and continuous connectivity,” he said.

“Therefore, beyond the flying technology itself, preparing digital infrastructure, coordination systems, and operational standards will be essential for gradually bringing this technology into practical use."

5 key contributors to low-altitude economy growth

Speaking at a conference on connectivity, integration and innovation in Ho Chi Minh City held in early 2026, Vu Anh Tu, CEO of FPT UAV under FPT Corporation, identified five major contributors to the low-altitude economy growth.

Logistics and e-commerce represent the first contributor.

As Vietnam’s largest consumption, commerce, and logistics hub, Ho Chi Minh City could benefit from a new urban transportation layer enabled by low-altitude systems.

Drone delivery would enable short-distance and specialized transport, rapid delivery for high-value or urgent goods, and optimized operations through controlled air corridors combined with real-time monitoring.

New economic sectors and high-tech industrial clusters are the second contributor.

The low-altitude economy could create an entire industrial-service value chain, including hardware design and manufacturing for drones, batteries, and sensors; flight operation software, digital mapping, and positioning systems; as well as services such as maintenance, training, insurance, and low-altitude airspace management systems.

Infrastructure and smart city management come in third.

UAVs could generate a new layer of urban data, from imagery and 3D mapping to real-time monitoring of infrastructure.

These capabilities can be applied directly to overseeing construction projects, bridges and roads, monitoring flooding, inspecting power and telecommunications networks, maintaining public security, and supporting search-and-rescue operations.

Health and emergency response make up the fourth contributor, where drones could transport medical samples, medicines, and medical supplies between healthcare facilities.

They could also support rescue operations during traffic congestion, flooding, or other situations where traditional transportation routes are disrupted.

Tourism and new services are the fifth contributor.

In the medium term, the low-altitude economy could create new service offerings such as drone light shows and aerial tourism filming.

In the longer term, it could enable entirely new low-altitude mobility models once technology and regulatory frameworks mature.