Viettel
Vietnamese state-owned military industry, telecommunications and technology group, and the country’s largest mobile network operator.
Last updated October 14, 2026
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Overview
Viettel, formally Viettel Military Industry and Telecoms Group, is a Vietnamese state-owned multinational group headquartered in Hanoi and administered directly by the Ministry of National Defence. It operates both as a major civilian communications provider and as a military-industrial enterprise of the Vietnam People’s Army. Its principal consumer-facing telecommunications arm, Viettel Telecom, has historically held the largest share of Vietnam’s mobile market. The group also operates internationally through telecommunications brands and affiliates in several emerging markets. The organization began on 1 June 1989 as the Electronics and Communication Equipment Corporation, commonly known as SIGELCO. During its first decade it was primarily a construction and communications-infrastructure contractor associated with the military Signal Corps. In 1995 it was reorganized as the Military Electronics and Telecommunications Company and adopted the short form Vietel, later standardized as Viettel. This transition gave the company a broad telecommunications license and established the institutional basis for its later expansion. Viettel’s first major commercial breakthrough came from voice-over-IP services. In 2000 it piloted long-distance VoIP and launched the “178” service between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. The low-cost calling proposition expanded rapidly across Vietnam and helped the company build commercial scale before entering mobile services. Viettel subsequently added international calling, internet access, fixed-line services and, in 2004, mobile services under the 098 prefix. Its mobile business used extensive nationwide infrastructure and aggressive pricing to challenge incumbent operators, eventually becoming Vietnam’s largest network by subscribers and market share. The company reorganized repeatedly as its activities broadened. In 2005 it became a military telecommunications corporation; in 2009 it became a group. In 2018 its official name changed to Military Industry – Telecommunication Group, reflecting a wider mandate covering defense production, high technology and digital services rather than telecommunications alone. The group’s business portfolio now spans telecommunications and information technology, network infrastructure, cloud and data centers, enterprise software, digital financial services, cybersecurity, electronics manufacturing, aerospace research and defense equipment. International expansion began in Cambodia and Laos and later spread to Haiti, Mozambique, Timor-Leste, Cameroon, Peru, Burundi, Tanzania and Myanmar. These operations used brands including Metfone, Unitel, Natcom, Movitel, Telemor, Nexttel, Bitel, Lumitel, Halotel and Mytel. International operations made Viettel a significant emerging-market telecommunications group, although the performance and continuity of individual businesses have varied by country. Viettel has also pursued technological self-reliance. It developed and manufactured telecommunications equipment, military communications systems, unmanned aerial vehicles and surveillance-related products, while building capabilities in cloud computing, internet of things, artificial intelligence, cybersecurity and digital-government platforms. It launched 3G nationally in 2010, introduced 4G nationwide in 2017, tested 5G in 2019 and later presented a domestically developed 5G digital front-end chip. The group has promoted digital transformation projects for public administration, healthcare, education, agriculture and smart cities. Its corporate identity combines commercial connectivity with national infrastructure and defense responsibilities. Viettel remains controlled by the Vietnamese state through the Ministry of National Defence and is not publicly listed as a group. It is best understood as a diversified state technology conglomerate whose consumer brand is anchored in mobile communications, while its broader activities include strategic communications infrastructure, d…
History
Viettel’s predecessor, the Electronics and Communication Equipment Corporation, was established on 1 June 1989. Initially associated with Vietnam’s military Signal Corps, the organization concentrated on construction and communications equipment rather than operating a nationwide consumer network. In 1995 it received authorization to become the Military Electronics and Telecommunications Company and was given a broad telecommunications business license. Viettel Post was established in 1997. The decisive early commercial development occurred in 2000, when Viettel was allowed to pilot long-distance voice-over-IP services. Its “178 – Your Saving Code” campaign, launched for the Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City route in October 2000, offered a lower-cost alternative to conventional long-distance calling. The service expanded nationally and reached break-even within nine months according to the company’s historical account. International VoIP followed in 2001, while internet services were introduced in 2002. Fixed-line services began in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City in 2003, and the company launched its 098 mobile service in October 2004. The organization was renamed and reorganized as a military telecommunications corporation in 2005. It entered Cambodia in 2006 and consolidated major telecommunications activities in 2007 through the creation or integration of specialist subsidiaries. In 2009 it became a military telecommunications group, while its Cambodian and Laotian operations began commercial service under the Metfone and Unitel brands. Viettel’s Vietnamese mobile business rapidly gained share through nationwide coverage, competitive pricing and large-scale network investment. The 2010s marked a shift from domestic network operator to multinational technology group. Viettel launched 3G nationally in 2010 and entered Haiti through Natcom in 2011. It acquired EVN Telecom in 2011, launched Movitel in Mozambique in 2012 and Telemor in Timor-Leste in 2013. Further launches followed in Cameroon, Peru, Burundi and Tanzania. In Myanmar, the Mytel brand began operations in 2018. These businesses expanded Viettel’s international subscriber base and provided operating experience in markets with relatively low telecommunications penetration. At home, Viettel moved beyond voice and messaging into enterprise information technology and public-sector digital transformation. Its offerings included digital signatures, school-management software, agricultural support, digital payments, cloud infrastructure, data centers and national-scale information systems. The company also established dedicated entities for business solutions, digital services, cybersecurity and high-tech manufacturing. Its expansion into defense technology included military radios, unmanned aerial vehicles and other systems developed for the Vietnamese armed forces. In 2017 Viettel was formally recognized as a defense and security enterprise. In January 2018, its official name changed from Military Telecommunications Group to Military Industry – Telecommunication Group, signaling the importance of defense manufacturing and technology research alongside communications. The same period saw the company introduce cloud services and pursue a strategy described as a fourth stage centered on global business and digital transformation. Viettel deployed commercial narrowband internet-of-things infrastructure in Hanoi in 2018. In 2019 it integrated and tested 5G infrastructure in Hanoi, connected a 5G network with Ericsson and worked on broader 5G and IoT coverage in Ho Chi Minh City. The group also launched or promoted digital platforms including Viettel++, MyGo, VoSo and an expanded Mocha ecosystem, and participated in national digital-transformation initiatives. In the 2020s Viettel continued to present itself as an integrated technology and defense group rather than only a telecom operator. It displayed an armed unmanned-aircraft model in 2020 and introduced a domestically developed 5G digital-front-end chip in 2023. Its continuing structure combines the Viettel consumer and enterprise telecommunications businesses with international operators, postal and financial services, cybersecurity, cloud, electronics, aerospace and defense-related research and manufacturing.
- 2023
5G digital-front-end chip introduced
[1]Viettel presents its first domestically developed 5G DFE chip.
- 2019
5G and IoT testing expands
[1]Viettel conducts early 5G tests in Hanoi and develops IoT infrastructure in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
- 2018
Name changes to Military Industry – Telecommunication Group
[1]The official name changes to reflect the group’s expanded industrial, defense and technology mandate.
- 2017
Vietnamese 4G network launches
[1]Viettel launches a nationwide 4G network and is recognized as a defense and security enterprise during the same period.
- 2011
Natcom launches in Haiti
[1]Viettel enters Haiti through the Natcom telecommunications brand.
- 2010
National 3G launch
[1]Viettel launches 3G service across Vietnam.
- 2009
International mobile expansion begins
[1]Metfone in Cambodia and Unitel in Laos begin operating under Viettel-linked ownership and partnerships.
- 2004
Viettel enters mobile services
[1]The company launches mobile service using the 098 prefix.
- 2000
178 VoIP service launches
[1]Viettel pilots and then launches low-cost long-distance VoIP calling in Vietnam.
- 1995
Military electronics and telecommunications company created
[1]The organization is formally changed into the Military Electronics and Telecommunications Company and receives a broad telecommunications license.
Products and positioning
A state-backed Vietnamese technology and telecommunications champion combining mass-market connectivity, international emerging-market operations, digital transformation, cybersecurity, high-tech manufacturing and defense capabilities.
Mobile telecommunications · 2004
Viettel mobile network
Viettel’s core Vietnamese consumer service provides mobile voice, messaging and data connectivity. The network expanded from 2G into 3G, 4G and 5G, with the company emphasizing nationwide coverage, large-scale infrastructure investment and increasingly domestic network-equipment capabilities.
VoIP telecommunications · 2000
178
The 178 service was Viettel’s breakthrough long-distance voice-over-IP product. Launched commercially in 2000, it used a low-price proposition to make long-distance calling more accessible and helped establish Viettel as a national telecommunications competitor.
Cloud and enterprise technology · 2018
Viettel Cloud and data centers
Viettel provides data-center, cloud, virtual-server and related infrastructure services for enterprises and public-sector customers. Viettel StartCloud was introduced as part of the group’s move into digital infrastructure and was positioned as a major domestic cloud offering.
Digital communications and content
Mocha
Mocha is a Viettel-linked digital communications and content platform. The group described plans to develop it into a broader application ecosystem covering communications, music, video, news and games.
International telecommunications · 2009
International mobile brands
Viettel operates or has operated international telecommunications businesses under brands including Metfone, Unitel, Natcom, Movitel, Telemor, Nexttel, Bitel, Lumitel, Halotel and Mytel. These businesses provide combinations of mobile, internet, international calling and enterprise connectivity services in emerging markets.
Marketing campaigns
- 2008Corporate social responsibility programs
Vietnam
Viettel supported social and charitable programs including television initiatives, congenital-heart treatment, Operation Smile and education-related activities.
Outcome. CSR became a recurring part of Viettel’s public positioning; later programs emphasized poverty reduction and education.
- 2000178 – Your Saving Code
Vietnam
A low-cost VoIP campaign launched with Viettel’s Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City pilot and later expanded nationally. It established the company’s reputation as a price-disruptive telecommunications entrant.
Outcome. Rapid adoption and national expansion; the service reportedly reached break-even within nine months.
Brand decisions
2019
5G and IoT deployment programProduct launchBackground
Viettel was seeking technological leadership in Vietnam and greater control over strategic network capabilities.
Action taken
The group tested 5G in Hanoi and expanded NB-IoT and 5G infrastructure work in Ho Chi Minh City.
Aftermath
Viettel became one of Vietnam’s leading early 5G developers and continued pursuing domestic telecommunications-equipment production.
2018
Shift toward global business and digital servicesStrategyBackground
Viettel sought to reduce reliance on traditional mobile growth and use its infrastructure and engineering capabilities in technology markets.
Action taken
The group entered a stated fourth development stage focused on global business, digital transformation, cloud, cybersecurity, high technology and digital-government solutions.
Aftermath
The group created specialist digital and technology entities and broadened its portfolio beyond network access.
2009
Creation of a military telecommunications groupStrategyBackground
Viettel had become a major domestic mobile operator and was beginning international expansion.
Action taken
The corporation became Military Telecommunications Group under the Ministry of National Defence.
Aftermath
Viettel expanded its international operating structure and diversified into technology and industrial activities.
2005
Reorganization as a military telecommunications corporationStrategyBackground
The organization’s telecommunications activities and subordinate units had expanded beyond its earlier equipment and construction role.
Action taken
The company was reorganized as a military telecommunications corporation under the Ministry of National Defence, with centers and factories transformed into subsidiaries.
Aftermath
The restructuring created a platform for national mobile expansion and later group diversification.
Recent events
Viettel announces Cao Duc Thang's appointment as chairman and general manager[2]
Reported:
Vietnam's standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Binh Minh signed a decision appointing Viettel deputy general director Cao Duc Thang as the group's chairman and general manager, effective January 1, 2022. The announcement was reported on December 26, 2021.
Viettel rolls out 5G service at Yen Phong 1 Industrial Park[3]
Reported:
Viettel rolled out 5G services at Yen Phong 1 Industrial Park in Bac Ninh Province, Vietnam, giving the site access to the country's first industrial-park 5G network. During the trial service, customers in the coverage area could use 5G data for free with unlimited capacity.
Viettel unveils new branding[4]
Reported:
Viettel Group unveiled new branding, including a new logo and slogan, as part of a change in its development strategy.
Viettel wins Stevie Award for Great Employers[5]
Viettel received the Stevie Award for Great Employers and was reported as the only Vietnamese company to receive the award.
Viettel plans 5G rollout in Laos[6]
Reported:
Viettel announced plans to roll out 5G technology in Laos through Star Telecom (Unitel), in which Viettel owns a 49 percent stake. The source describes the rollout as planned, not completed.
U2opia Mobile partners with four operators to provide Fonetwish services[7]
Reported:
U2opia Mobile rolled out services enabled by its Fonetwish platform with Claro in Guatemala, MTN in South Sudan and South Africa, Viettel in Vietnam, and Tunisie Telecom in Tunisia. The services let mobile users access services including Facebook and Twitter without an active internet or data connection.
Sources9 sources
- 1Viettelen.wikipedia.org
- 2Viettel宣布任命曹德胜为董事长兼总经理zh.vietnamplus.vn
- 3Viettel在安丰一号工业园推出5G服务news.tuoitre.vn
- 4Viettel 发布新品牌形象en.vietnamplus.vn
- 5越南军队电信集团获得史蒂夫优秀雇主奖vietnamnews.vn
- 6Viettel计划在老挝推出5G服务en.vietnamplus.vn
- 7U2opia Mobile与四家运营商合作提供Fonetwish服务prnewswire.co.uk
- 8越南军队电信集团获得史蒂夫优秀雇主奖vietnam.vnanet.vn
- 9越南军队电信集团获得史蒂夫优秀雇主奖zh.vietnamplus.vn
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