Vietnam's tech giant Viettel invests $1 bln in data, R&D centers

Military-run telecom giant Viettel on Tuesday broke ground on data and R&D center projects in Hanoi, with total investment capital exceeding $1 billion.

The An Khanh Data Center and the Viettel Research & Development Center are part of a nationwide initiative marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2).

These two key developments reaffirm Viettel’s pioneer role in executing the Politburo’s Resolution 57-NQ/TW on building a national network of research centers and high-tech laboratories aimed at advancing strategic technologies.

The Viettel R&D Center will span 13 hectares in the Hanoi-based Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park and cost VND10 trillion ($380 million).

Comprising six smart buildings, the center is expected to be completed by 2030. It will serve as a comprehensive R&D complex, handling the full cycle from research and design to prototyping and manufacturing of high-tech "Made in Vietnam" products.

The facility will support Viettel's ambitions in both defense and civilian technologies - from propulsion systems, UAVs, remote sensing satellites, and radar systems to advanced civilian applications in Big Data, AI, and cloud computing. All are tailored to meet both national defense needs and global tech trends.

Designed to meet international standards, the center integrates smart, green, and sustainable features while ensuring top-tier safety and cybersecurity. It is expected to attract 2,500 high-skilled professionals and support the national goal of modernizing the army through advanced military equipment production.

The An Khanh Data Center, with an investment of VND17.5 trillion ($664.9 million) on a 1.9-hectare site in Hanoi's An Khanh commune, will offer a designed capacity of 60 MW, making it the largest data center in northern Vietnam. Phase 1 is set to go live in Q2/2026, with plans to expand it into Viettel’s second hyperscale data center by 2030.

Built to Uptime Tier III standards, the facility will feature in-house AI developed by Viettel, a five-layer security system, and cutting-edge cooling technologies. It is designed to operate sustainably and align with the government’s Net Zero emissions target.

The data center will play a vital role in Vietnam’s digital transformation, serving the government, the Ministry of National Defense, major enterprises, and national-scale AI applications.

In 2025, Viettel has accelerated construction of other key tech infrastructure such as the Tan Phu Trung Data Center in the southern hub of Ho Chi Minh City and the Viettel Tower in the central city of Da Nang, further expanding its high-tech footprint to support both national defense and digital transformation goals.