Vietnam’s military-run Viettel ranked world’s strongest telecoms brand

According to the latest global ranking by brand valuation consultancy Brand Finance, Viettel achieved a Brand Strength Index (BSI) of 89.9 out of 100 and received an AAA+ rating, the highest possible level on the firm’s scale.

The result placed Viettel at the top worldwide in telecoms brand strength for the first time.

The achievement has surprised many industry observers.

Brand Finance, a leading global brand valuation consultancy founded in 1996 and headquartered in London, United Kingdom, operates in more than 20 countries.

Each year, the firm evaluates more than 70,000 brands worldwide.

Brand Finance’s evaluation method is based on three main factors, including the BSI, the industry’s brand royalty rate, and a company’s forecast revenue.

In the 2026 ranking, Viettel’s BSI of 89.9 is the highest recorded among the leading telecoms brands in the brand-strength category over the past three years.

The result reflects exceptionally high levels of trust and engagement from customers toward the Viettel brand.

Brand Finance emphasized the distinction between brand strength and brand value.

Brand value refers to the financial worth of a brand and is closely tied to revenue, profitability, and future growth prospects.

Brand strength, by contrast, measures a brand’s reputation, trustworthiness, and the level of customer loyalty it commands.

The index is calculated through user surveys and evaluations across multiple criteria, including reliability, customer preference, likelihood of choosing the brand, and willingness to recommend it to others.

Strong brand performance can significantly influence overall brand value.

“Viettel earned very high scores across many key indicators in Brand Finance’s research, particularly in reputation, trust, and customers’ willingness to recommend the brand,” said Lorenzo Coruzzi, Brand Finance valuation director.

“This demonstrates that Viettel not only has high brand recognition but it has also built strong customer engagement,” he stressed.

In terms of brand value, Viettel is currently valued at US$7.9 billion.

The firm is the largest telecoms enterprise in Southeast Asia and ranks among the world’s top 20 telecom brands.

It is also the only Vietnamese company included in the Global Top 500 brand ranking.