Sun Group plans renewable-powered digital infrastructure project in northern Vietnam

Sun Group, a real estate giant in Vietnam, plans a project on developing decentralized digital infrastructure powered by renewable energy in the northern province of Lai Chau.

The project, dubbed Sun Smart Link, will tap local renewable resources, including small hydropower, solar, and wind, to promote green and sustainable growth, the company said at a meeting with Lai Chau authorities on Monday.

The firm requested incentives/support from the provincial government to streamline legal procedures and prioritize the project in its investment promotion portfolio.

It also requested priority access to public land, including special-use forests, protective forests, production forests, and riverine areas, to facilitate implementation.

Giang Pao My, Secretary of the Lai Chau Party’s Committee, praised the proposal, noting its alignment with the Politburo’s Resolution 57 on science-technology development and innovation, as well as its potential to create local jobs.

She instructed provincial agencies to form working groups to survey the project and consult with relevant ministries and central agencies.

On August 21, Sun Group also had a meeting with authorities of neighboring Lao Cai province regarding the Sun Smart Link (SML) project.

According to the firm, the infrastructure would be broken down into “Node Stations,” which, when interconnected, could deliver computing power equivalent to traditional centralized digital systems.

Each node would run on renewable energy sources such as small streams or forest-covered areas, enabling a greener, more sustainable model while minimizing environmental impact.

Following a field survey, Sun Smart Link proposed 22 potential sites for deployment, with plans to install one to two Node Stations at each location.

Following an administrative merger in June, Vietnam’s northern midlands and mountainous region now includes nine provinces (down from 14): Lai Chau, Lao Cai, Cao Bang, Lang Son, Thai Nguyen, Tuyen Quang, Son La, Dien Bien, and Phu Tho.