Viettel was awarded the Platinum Award in the category Excellence in Provision of Literacy & Education Award for companies with a market capitalization of USD 1 billion or more, thanks to its Internet for Schools project, an initiative that brings internet connectivity to educational institutions to expand learning opportunities and narrow the digital divide.
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Nearly 40,000 educational institutions, equivalent to 92% of all schools nationwide, provided with free internet connectivity by Viettel, enabling around 25 million students, university learners, and teachers to access online learning environments |
At the Global CSR & ESG Awards, prizes are ranked across four levels, namely Platinum, Gold, Silver, and Bronze. Platinum is the highest distinction, reserved for initiatives recognized for their outstanding and sustainable impact. The Global CSR & ESG Summit and Awards is one of Asia’s largest annual CSR and ESG recognition programs, held since 2008 and attracting businesses, international organizations, and sustainable development experts from across the region.
The Excellence in Provision of Literacy & Education Award specifically honors initiatives that expand access to education and enhance learning capacity for communities through innovative solutions with long-term impact.
Viettel launched the Internet for Schools project in partnership with Vietnam’s Ministry of Education and Training in 2008, at a time when internet access in Vietnam remained limited. Back then, only around 24% of the population used the internet, while the figure in rural areas was below 1%. Tens of thousands of schools had no internet connection, leaving teachers and students without access to digital learning materials, online education platforms, and modern teaching methods.
After nearly 18 years of continuous implementation, the project has generated broad social impact. Nearly 40,000 educational institutions, equivalent to 92% of all schools nationwide, have been connected to free internet services by Viettel, enabling around 25 million students, university learners, and teachers to access online learning environment. The expansion of digital infrastructure in education has also contributed to raising Vietnam’s internet penetration rate from around 15% to 85%, placing the country among the world’s top 20 nations by number of internet users.
The initiative has also been expanded to many international markets where Viettel has invested in telecommunications infrastructure. In countries, such as Laos, Cambodia, Mozambique, Tanzania, Burundi, and Peru, Viettel has worked with governments and local education organizations to bring broadband internet to thousands of schools, particularly in rural and underserved areas with limited connectivity infrastructure.
A Viettel representative said, “For Viettel, digital infrastructure development always goes hand in hand with social responsibility. We believe that providing internet connectivity for education not only creates more equal learning opportunities for every student, but also lays the foundation for the long-term development of each nation. This award recognizes Viettel’s persistent efforts to use technology in service of communities and help narrow the digital divide.”
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Viettel IDC receives the Gold Award in the CSR & ESG Leadership Award category for companies with a market capitalization of under USD500 million |
At the same event, Viettel IDC received the Gold Award in the category CSR & ESG Leadership Award for companies with a market capitalization of under USD 500 million. The award recognizes Viettel IDC’s efforts to develop sustainable data center and cloud computing infrastructure, contributing to digital transformation while upholding environmental and social responsibility.
Beyond infrastructure development, Viettel IDC remains committed to ESG values with a people-centered philosophy, from building a healthy, inclusive, and equitable workplace to making cloud and AI services more accessible and affordable for businesses undergoing digital transformation. Its ESG strategy is managed transparently through reporting and emissions inventory activities conducted in line with international standards. The company also maintains regular dialogue with partners and customers to promote and spread sustainable growth across the industry.
Being honored at the Global CSR & ESG Awards 2026 further reaffirms Viettel’s sustainable development orientation, as it builds digital infrastructure in Vietnam and international markets. From connecting tens of millions of students to the internet to developing green data centers that support the digital economy, Viettel’s initiatives reflect a consistent approach of using technology to solve social challenges while creating long-term value for communities and the economy.
Translated by Tran Hoai