Award recognises sustained policy leadership that has turned national digital ambition into world-class connectivity, with Viet Nam now ranked in the global top 10 for both mobile and fixed broadband speeds
Ha Long, Quang Ninh, Viet Nam – 28 October 2026 – The GSMA today presented the GSMA Government Leadership Award 2026 to the Government of Viet Nam, received by the Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) on its behalf. The award was presented at the opening session of the Digital and AI Ministerial Roundtable, held as part of Viet Nam International Digital Week 2026 (VIDW 2026) in Quang Ninh province. Viet Nam was first announced as the 2026 recipient in March 2026 at MWC Barcelona 2026.
The GSMA Government Leadership Award honours one government each year for policy leadership that creates the conditions for investment, innovation and meaningful digital progress. The recipient is selected by an independent panel of international experts, including representatives of ITU, OECD and the GSMA. Viet Nam is the sole recipient for 2026, following Brazil (2025), Trinidad and Tobago (2024) and India (2023).
Ambition translated into action
“Its purpose is not simply to celebrate ambition. It is to recognise ambition translated into action – and to highlight examples from which others can learn. That is why Viet Nam has been recognised.” said Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific, GSMA
Presenting the award, the GSMA noted that Viet Nam was recognised not for one announcement, project or technology, but for a sustained approach that connects national ambition with policy direction, implementation and partnership with industry. Building on the GSMA’s Digital Nations Report 2026, which highlights Viet Nam’s progress across the five pillars of a digital nation, the GSMA pointed to three strengths:
- Connectivity as economic infrastructure. The focus on expanding broadband and advancing 5G reflects a wider ambition to make businesses more productive, public services more accessible and the economy more competitive.
- Strategy turned into practical conditions for progress. The award nomination highlighted spectrum policy and support for network investment, recognising that digital ambition needs both the capacity to build and the confidence to invest.
- A focus on people. Community-based digital skills initiatives reflect the principle that progress is measured not only by the networks deployed, but by the opportunities people can actually use.
“Together, these strengths explain the recognition: clear direction, consistent delivery and a commitment to making digital development a national endeavour.” Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific, GSMA added
“The GSMA Government Leadership Award presented today recognises Viet Nam’s progress in digital connectivity and 5G development. We see this award not only as an honour, but also as a responsibility to move faster and ensure that digital and AI development benefits everyone.” said H.E. Assoc. Prof. Dr. Vu Hai Quan, Minister of Science and Technology of Viet Nam.
World-class connectivity: key results
- 5G rollout: Following commercial launch, Viet Nam had installed more than 40,000 5G base stations by 2026, covering approximately 92% of the population – among the fastest 5G rollouts worldwide.
- Record mobile speeds: According to the national i-Speed measurement system operated by VNNIC under MST, mobile and 5G speeds exceeded 500 Mbps for the first time in early 2026, with one operator peaking at 617 Mbps, and the national average download speed remaining above 437 Mbps.
- Closing coverage gaps: Viet Nam completed its 2G switch-off and accelerated the public-utility telecommunications programme under Decision No. 777/QĐ-TTg (2026). The 2026 priority campaign extended broadband to 1,856 locations – 788 villages and 1,068 residential clusters in remote, mountainous, border and island areas – alongside trials of low-earth-orbit satellite internet, with the goal of ensuring access for 100% of the population.
According to the Ookla Speedtest Global Index (July–September 2026 data), Viet Nam has for the first time entered the global top 10 for both mobile and fixed broadband:
- Mobile broadband: ranked 8th in the world (September 2026), with a median download speed of 230.31 Mbps, up from 10th in July and 9th in August 2026, and ahead of the United States and China. Notably, Ha Noi ranks as the world’s fifth-fastest city for mobile internet.
- Fixed broadband: in the global top 10. Viet Nam ranked 7th in July 2026 (307.11 Mbps), 8th in August 2026 (301.48 Mbps, more than twice the global average of 129.68 Mbps) and 10th in September 2026 (297.64 Mbps).
Policy foundations
- Institutional and legal framework: Implementation of the Law on Telecommunications 2023 and Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation and national digital transformation, which identifies digital infrastructure as the foundation of the digital economy and digital society.
- Digital economy growth: Viet Nam’s digital economy is projected to contribute 30% of GDP by 2030, supported by strong foreign investment in semiconductors, AI and smart manufacturing, making Viet Nam one of the most dynamic digital transformation leaders in South-East Asia.
- International recognition: The GSMA report Digital Nations 2026: Building Trusted Digital Ecosystems in Asia Pacific highlights Viet Nam’s progress across all five pillars of a digital nation: infrastructure, innovation, data governance, cybersecurity and human skills.
Looking ahead: a stronger Vietnamese voice on the global stage
“But an award should never be a finishing line. It should be a platform for the next bold step. Today, I would like to extend an invitation: build on this momentum, and bring an even stronger Vietnamese voice to the global telecommunications stage.” said Julian Gorman, Head of Asia Pacific, GSMA.
The GSMA encouraged Viet Nam to continue taking bold decisions that enable long-term investment; turn advanced connectivity into new industrial capabilities; build trust and security into digital growth; and equip people with the skills to benefit from AI. It also invited Viet Nam to look beyond the domestic market – sharing its policy experience, bringing Vietnamese engineers, innovators and enterprises into international collaboration, helping shape interoperable technologies, contributing to global standards and developing solutions that can serve communities far beyond Viet Nam.
“The opportunity is not only to adopt the next generation of technology. It is to help create it. The GSMA looks forward to deepening our partnership on that journey-connecting Vietnamese ambition and expertise with the reach of the global mobile ecosystem.”
– ENDS –
About the GSMA
The GSMA is a global organisation unifying the mobile ecosystem to discover, develop and deliver innovation foundational to positive business environments and societal change. Its vision is to unlock the full power of connectivity so that people, industry and society thrive. Representing mobile operators and organisations across the mobile ecosystem and adjacent industries, the GSMA delivers for its members across three broad pillars: Connectivity for Good, Industry Services and Solutions, and Outreach.
About the Ministry of Science and Technology of Viet Nam
The Ministry of Science and Technology (MST) is a government agency of Viet Nam, performing the function of state management of scientific research, technology development, innovation, the development of high technologies and strategic technologies, and the development of science and technology capacity; intellectual property; standards, technical regulations, metrology, and the quality of products and goods; atomic energy, radiation and nuclear safety; postal services; telecommunications; radio frequencies; the digital technology industry; information technology application; artificial intelligence; electronic transactions; and national digital transformation; as well as state management of public services within the sectors and fields under its management in accordance with the law.