Viettel launches US$1 billion R&D and data center projects in Ha Noi
VGP - Viet Nam’s military-run telecom and technology giant Viettel on August 19 broke ground on two landmark projects in Ha Noi with a combined investment of US$1 billion.
The launching ceremony of Viettel Research & Development Center and the An Khanh Data Center
The projects underscore Viettel's leading role in advancing national research capabilities and digital infrastructure. Both centers are slated to be operational by 2026.
The Viettel Research & Development Center, located on a 13-hectare site in Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park, will cost VND10 trillion (US$381 million). Designed with six smart buildings, the facility is scheduled for completion in 2030 and will be Viet Nam's first fully integrated hub for research, design, prototyping, and production of advanced technologies. Its focus will span defense innovations—including missile and cruise engines, UAVs, satellites, and radars—as well as breakthroughs in big data, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, and digital platforms. Once completed, the center is expected to employ 2,500 professionals in a sustainable, smart working environment.
The second project, the An Khanh Data Center, will cover 1.9 hectares in An Khanh Commune, with a total investment of VND17.5 trillion (US$667 million). Phase one is scheduled to come online in the second quarter of 2026. By 2030, the site will be expanded into Viettel's second hyperscale data center, boasting a capacity of 60 MW—the largest in northern Viet Nam. Built to Uptime Tier III standards, it will feature AI-driven operations, advanced cooling technology, and a five-layer security system to support national digital transformation and large-scale AI deployment.
"These projects are designed with absolute safety and multi-layered protection, using the most advanced technologies available," Viettel emphasized.
The groundbreaking is part of a nationwide campaign to kick off or inaugurate 250 projects across 34 provinces and cities, with a total investment of VND1.28 quadrillion (US$48.8 billion), marking the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and upcoming National Day (September 2).
In April, Viettel also began building a 140 MW data center in Ho Chi Minh City, which is expected to rank among the top 10 in Southeast Asia upon completion in 2026.
Viet Nam is currently home to 41 commercial data centers operated by 12 companies, with a combined design capacity of 221 MW, according to a May report by the Ministry of Science and Technology./.
