The number of 5G stations increased rapidly to more than 16,000 stations, covering 39.52% of the population after one year of deployment, but still far from the target of 90% by the end of 2025.
In a report on the implementation of the tasks of developing science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation in mid-November, the Ministry of Science and Technology assessed that the telecommunications infrastructure is “strongly developed” with Internet covering 78% of the population and mobile coverage 99.8%, in which the 5G network continues to be promoted nationwide.
According to data as of October, the whole country had 16,737 5G stations, equal to 14% of the current number of 4G stations, covering 39.52% of the population, helping them access 5G services.
New generation mobile networks with increased coverage also help mobile Internet speed in Vietnam increase sharply, improving rankings on world rankings. One year since the first network commercialized 5G in October 2025, Internet speed in Vietnam increased from 71 to 146 Mbps, ranking from 43 to 15, according to Ookla Speedtest statistics.
Statistics from i-Speed of the Vietnam Internet Center show that Vietnam’s mobile data speed in October reached 81.7 Mbps, of which Viettel led with 96.57 Mbps, up 26% over the same period last year, followed by VNPT with 66.97 Mbps, MobiFone with 59.54 Mbps.
Accelerating 5G popularization
According to the previously proposed plan, Vietnam aims to have 90% of the population covered by 5G this year, with the number of stations reaching more than 68,000 stations, equivalent to 57.5% of 4G stations. With more than 16,000 stations today, 5G coverage is still far from the target. “Urge network operators to provide 5G coverage nationwide” is one of the tasks mentioned in the report by the Ministry of Science and Technology.
A network technician is installing a 5G station. Image: Tho Tran
Vietnam has taken many measures to promote the popularization of 5G in the country. Resolution No. 193 of the National Assembly allows piloting financial support for 5G development, including 15% of equipment costs if the network deploys 20,000 additional stations before December 31, 2025. In addition, the “golden frequency” of 700 MHz is also used for 5G to increase coverage, with the two winning carriers being Viettel and VNPT.
On the network operator and smartphone dealer side, many measures have been implemented to expand coverage as well as promote users to use the new generation mobile network.
Viettel Telecom aims to reach 90% of the population with 5G coverage by the end of 2025, attracting 12 million subscribers. At the 25th anniversary celebration in October, General Director of Viettel Telecom affirmed that it will transform technology and network according to the national digital infrastructure strategic goal by 2030, including telecommunications and Internet infrastructure, data infrastructure; digital utility infrastructure, and ready for 6G. This network cooperates with a number of phone companies such as Motorola and Oppo to support users in buying 5G devices at cheaper prices.
The smartphone market also witnessed price reductions and increased sales of 5G devices. Statistics in July from market research firm Counterpoint Research showed that 5G phone sales increased by 11% despite the overall smartphone market in Vietnam decreasing by 15%, and the average selling price of 5G phones in the country also decreased by more than 10% compared to the same period last year.