Vietnam is making remarkable strides in telecommunications infrastructure, including 5G, thanks to sound policy direction, strong investment from carriers, and a vibrant competitive landscape.
For the first time, Ookla – the company behind Speedtest Intelligence – has released a comprehensive report on Vietnam's telecom market, covering mobile and fixed broadband services during the first half of 2025.
In an exclusive interview with VietNamNet, Affandy Johan, an analyst at Ookla, shared insights into Vietnam’s mobile and fixed broadband performance, its regional standing, and how Viettel continues to lead the market.
Affandy Johan, Analyst at Ookla. Photo: GSMA
What is Ookla’s assessment of Vietnam’s overall mobile and fixed broadband performance based on the latest data?
Affandy Johan: As of September 2025, Vietnam ranks 13th globally for average mobile download speed and 11th for fixed broadband speed, according to the Speedtest Global Index. These are impressive milestones that reflect the effectiveness of government strategies and heavy investment by telecom operators, particularly under the National Digital Transformation Program.
The program is driving a nationwide digital infrastructure upgrade, including the expansion of fiber-optic networks and upgrades to international submarine cable capacities. Notably, earlier this year, major broadband providers introduced new basic service packages with significantly higher speeds, making high-speed internet more accessible.
On the mobile front, commercial deployment and national rollout of 5G networks have driven a major leap in speed. All major carriers have reported strong improvements in average speeds, with Viettel standing out for its continuous network expansion and modernization. While Vietnam is still catching up with more mature 5G markets, the current momentum shows strong potential for growth in both speed and user experience.
Where does Vietnam stand compared to other Southeast Asian countries in terms of network performance during the first half of 2025?
Affandy Johan: Vietnam is now among Southeast Asia’s most competitive countries in terms of connection speeds. This is a direct result of sustained infrastructure investment and forward-looking policy frameworks.
Vietnam’s average mobile download speed reached 102.29 Mbps, nearly double the 51.69 Mbps recorded during the same period in 2024 – a 97.9% increase driven mainly by 5G expansion. This places Vietnam ahead of Thailand (80.65 Mbps) and Cambodia (43.13 Mbps), trailing only Malaysia (115.26 Mbps) and Singapore (138.26 Mbps).
For fixed broadband, Vietnam reported an average download speed of 195.41 Mbps, surpassing Malaysia (143.87 Mbps), Cambodia (47.57 Mbps), and Indonesia (34.89 Mbps). This achievement aligns with government efforts to broaden the fiber-optic infrastructure. However, Thailand (242.90 Mbps) and Singapore (365.05 Mbps) continue to lead the region.
Source: Ookla
Viettel continues to dominate in speed, coverage, and stability. What factors contribute to its sustained leadership?
Affandy Johan: Viettel’s strong performance reflects a well-planned investment strategy, long-term vision, and advanced technical capabilities. The company delivers not only high-speed services but also consistent network quality nationwide – from urban to remote areas.
Large-scale 5G deployment beginning in late 2024 helped Viettel significantly boost download speeds and network capacity. Unlike some rivals, Viettel ensures performance parity even in suburban and rural areas, which factors into Ookla’s overall performance metrics.
In addition, Viettel has invested heavily in fixed infrastructure and international bandwidth, operating several undersea cable routes that enhance Vietnam’s total bandwidth. This backup capacity helps maintain stable speeds, particularly when outages occur on international cables.
What major trends or improvements has Ookla observed in Vietnam’s network infrastructure and user experience over the past year?
Affandy Johan: Mobile download speeds in Vietnam nearly doubled in the past year, reaching 102.29 Mbps in the first half of 2025. Average 5G speeds hit 428.93 Mbps, outperforming many regional peers. This reflects the widespread 5G rollout, which not only boosts speed but also improves stability for high-bandwidth applications.
A major turning point for fixed broadband came at the start of 2025, when providers began offering minimum packages of 300 Mbps – nearly double the previous baseline. This policy shift, aligned with the National Digital Transformation Program, has brought Vietnam’s fixed internet to a globally competitive level.
As mobile and fixed performance continues to improve, carriers should now prioritize Quality of Experience (QoE) – including faster web access, smooth video streaming, and low latency. Developing integrated service packages and value-added features will also help increase average revenue per user (ARPU) and customer retention.
Another notable development is the decision to open the 6 GHz band for unlicensed indoor Wi-Fi devices, enabling users to experience the speed and capacity of the latest Wi-Fi technology. This forward-looking policy aligns with international trends and significantly enhances in-home connectivity, complementing mobile networks.
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