Hanoi (VNA) – The government has approved the Digital Infrastructure Strategy through 2025, with a vision to 2023, marking a significant step in fostering digital transformation and economic growth.
Under the Decision No. 1132/QD-TTg signed on October 9, 2024 by Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, digital infrastructure is positioned as a key driver for the country’s goal of the digital economy expected to contribute 30% to the national GDP by 2030.
The strategy outlines four main components of Vietnam's digital infrastructure, comprising telecommunications and Internet infrastructure, data infrastructure, physical-digital infrastructure, and digital utilities and technology as a service.
Regarding telecommunications and internet infrastructure, the strategy calls for expanding high-speed, low-latency internet access across households, businesses, and public institutions. It also prioritises the development of international and domestic transmission systems, including submarine cables and satellite links, ensuring diverse, safe, and sustainable connectivity.
With data infrastructure, the strategy encourages both domestic and international investment in state-of-the-art data centres and cloud computing systems that meet international standards for safety, sustainability, and energy efficiency. The goal is to position Vietnam as a regional hub for data storage and processing.
To promote physical-digital infrastructure, the country will integrate sensors and digital technologies into essential services such as transportation, energy, and utilities, Vietnam aims to enhance efficiency and productivity across industries. This smart infrastructure will form a critical component of the country’s digital economy.
In digital utilities and technology-as-a-service, Vietnam will develop platforms for digital identity, e-signatures, and e-payment, and data sharing will provide a foundational soft infrastructure for digital transactions. New digital utilities and services that consume less data and energy will be developed to drive economic growth.
Each of these elements must be scalable, sustainable, and secure to meet the demands of a growing digital economy and smart society, while also ensuring national security and defense.
By 2025, the strategy targets several ambitious objectives. These include universal fiber optic access, 5G mobile services expansion, new international submarine cables and AI data centres.
The government also aims for every citizen to have at least one Internet of Things (IoT) connection and a digital identity, with over half of the adult population adopting digital or electronic signatures.
Looking further ahead to 2030, the strategy sets even more ambitious targets, including widespread 5G coverage, next-generation networks, expanding global connectivity.
By 2030, at least six new international submarine cable lines will be in operation, significantly boosting Vietnam's data capacity. Furthermore, at least one cable will be owned and operated by Vietnam, and an additional terrestrial cable will be added to strengthen connectivity.
In terms of data infrastructure, the strategy calls for the establishment of hyperscale data centres, edge data centres, and AI-supported data centres. These facilities will meet the growing demand for data processing and storage, both domestically and regionally.
The strategy emphasises the importance of IoT, aiming for the average Vietnamese citizen to have four IoT connections by 2030. Additionally, more than 70% of the adult population is expected to use digital signatures or electronic signatures, marking a significant shift towards digital identities and digital transactions.
The government sees this digital infrastructure strategy as a way to increase the country’s competitiveness. By investing in smart solutions such as smart transportation, smart healthcare, smart education, and smart manufacturing, Vietnam aims to enhance productivity and ensure sustainable economic development.
The strategy reflects the country’s commitment to driving digital transformation across all sectors of the economy. With clear objectives and a strong focus on sustainable growth, the strategy will not only boost GDP but also enhance Vietnam’s position as a digital leader in the region. As the strategy unfolds, businesses, government agencies, and citizens will increasingly rely on advanced digital infrastructure to drive innovation, efficiency, and global competitiveness./.
