1. Viettel welcomes many senior leaders
In 2024, Viettel hosted many senior leaders from the Party and State of Vietnam and other countries. President To Lam (now Party General Secretary) visited Viettel’s headquarters in Laos and Cambodia. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visited and worked with Unitel (Viettel’s brand in Laos). President Luong Cuong visited and encouraged Viettel staff in Peru and awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces to Viettel Aerospace Institute. Minister of National Defense General Phan Van Giang awarded the Second-class Labor Orders to Unitel and Metfone.
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President Luong Cuong awards the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces to Viettel Aerospace Institute. |
2. Appointing new important positions
In the year, Viettel appointed two new Deputy General Directors, Colonel Cao Anh Son and Lieutenant Colonel Nguyen Dat, and assigned new roles to many key leaders and staff members to ensure succession and stability and to improve leadership capabilities across the group.
In addition, Viettel effectively implemented its restructuring plan by establishing the Semiconductor Technology Division, the Customer Service Company, the IT Center, the Shared Service Center, and transforming several other units into new models. In 2024, the group made AI (Artificial Intelligence) a major strategic pillar, aiming to lead in infrastructure, human resource, and application platforms, embedding AI in all activities both internally and across various sectors of society.
3. Double-digit growth after seven years
In 2024, Viettel's consolidated revenue reached VND 190 trillion, achieving 103% of the target, with a growth rate of 10.3% - the highest in the industry and a double-digit increase for the first time in seven years. Pre-tax profit exceeded VND 51 trillion, reaching 111% of the target, with a growth rate of 11.3%. The group contributed VND 42.6 trillion to the state budget, an increase of 12.3%. The average income of its employees increased by 6%. Viettel continued to maintain its position as one of the most efficient state-owned enterprises.
Viettel also contributed VND 100 billion to assisting those affected by Typhoon Yagi and donated VND 240 billion to eliminate temporary and dilapidated houses for 4,000 poor households in line with the Government and Ministry of National Defense’s initiative.
4. Successful switching from 2G to 4G
Viettel successfully switched 6.5 million 2G sim cards to 4G before stopping 2G-only services and installed more than 6,000 new BTS stations, expanding 4G coverage to 98% of the population.
5. Officially launching commercial 5G network in several countries
Viettel became the first business to officially provide 5G services in Vietnam, offering the widest coverage, the most advanced technology, the best quality, and the most diverse services. Viettel is one of the top 5% of carriers globally to implement both 5G SA and NSA architectures simultaneously.
In addition, Viettel officially launched 5G services in Peru and Laos. In Burundi, Viettel is the first and only carrier to be granted free experimental 5G spectrum by the government.
6. Viettel's international markets continue to witness strong growth
In 2024, despite facing political instability, high inflation, and currency fluctuations, for the eighth consecutive year, Viettel’s international revenue grew by double digits, up 17.3% from the previous year and contributing 80 per cent of the group’s total growth, outperforming the global average by seven times. The wallet services continued to be a breakthrough, particularly in Africa, contributing over 20% to additional revenue.
All foreign subsidiaries met their challenging targets, repatriating USD 467 million in cash flow, exceeding the annual plan. Viettel achieved full capital recovery in five markets, namely Cambodia, Laos, East Timor, Natcom, and Mozambique, with an 85% capital recovery rate.
7. Viettel launches largest data center in Vietnam
Viettel Data Center in Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park was put into operation in April. The new center has racks (server cabinets) with a capacity of two times higher than the average in Vietnam, meeting the development trend of artificial intelligence (AI) with high-performance computer chips to increase computing ability.
With 60,000 servers, more than 2,400 racks, and a total electrical capacity of 30MW, it became Vietnam’s largest data center, equivalent to a super data center by global standards. This reflects Viettel’s commitment to advancing modern, secure digital infrastructure for the nation.
The Viettel Hoa lac Data Center also features the latest green technology, using renewable energy to supply 30% of its energy consumption.
8. Two units honored with noble titles
The Viettel Aerospace Institute was awarded the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces for its outstanding achievements in researching, designing, and producing high-tech, strategic weapons, contributing to building the socialism and protecting the nation. President Luong Cuong attended the ceremony and awarded this prestigious title to the unit.
Also in the year, Viettel Construction received the Labor Hero title from the President for its outstanding contributions to labor, creativity, technology application, and innovation, national defense and economic and social development.
To date, there are four units and individuals in Vietnam having been awarded with the title of Hero of the People's Armed Forces four times and the Labor Hero five times.
9. Viettel starts commercialization of Open RAN 5G network
Viettel has commercially deployed the world’s first 5G Open RAN base station using chipsets co-developed with Qualcomm.
Currently, Viettel is accelerating the production of its 5G Open RAN 32T328 stations, aiming to deploy 500 stations on its network in Vietnam by 2025 and expand internationally, asserting its ability in telecommunications electronics technology.
10. Opening Vietnam's first logistics park
Viettel has launched its Logistics Park in Lang Son, providing full-spectrum logistics services to boost export and import activities and shorten customs processing times. This is the first logistics park in Vietnam, with the mission of becoming one of the essential infrastructure platforms for the digital economy.
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At the launch of Viettel's Logistics Park in Lang Son |
11. Wining Pwn2Own Global Security Competition for two consecutive years
Viettel's cybersecurity team won the 2024 Pwn2Own Global Security Competition championship in Ireland. This is the second consecutive time a Vietnamese cybersecurity company has ranked first at one of the world's largest cyber-attack competitions.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh sent a congratulatory letter, praising the remarkable progress and achievements of Viettel’s engineers in the world's most prestigious cybersecurity competition.
12. World’s top brand in sustainable development
In Fortune’s "Change the World 2024" ranking, Viettel was ranked 3rd among the top 50 global companies with significant contribution to sustainable development and positive social impact.
Viettel is the only Vietnamese company on the list and impressive with its efforts to improve education quality through its School Internet Project in Vietnam and 10 international markets. By 2024, the program had helped 25 million students and teachers access the Internet, contributing to increasing Vietnam’s Internet penetration rate from 15% to 85%.
In 2024, Brand Finance also recognized Viettel as the most valuable brand in Vietnam for the 9th consecutive year, the number one telecom brand in Southeast Asia, ranked 9th in Asia, and 16th globally. Viettel is ranked second in the world for telecom brand strength and is regarded as the best company for sustainable development.
Translated by Tran Hoai