Vietnam’s Starlink Approval: Connecting the Unconnected in a Digital Age

By Sana Ullah | April 17, 2025

Rice fields in rural Vietnam, where Starlink aims to bring internet access.

Growing up in Ho Chi Minh City, I’ve watched Vietnam embrace technology at lightning speed—smartphones, food delivery apps, and coworking spaces are now part of everyday life. But for millions in Vietnam’s remote villages, the internet remains a distant dream. That’s why the news of Vietnam approving Elon Musk’s Starlink satellite internet service feels like a turning point. This isn’t just about faster Wi-Fi; it’s about giving every corner of Vietnam a chance to join the global digital community. Here’s why this matters and what it means for our future.

A Bold Step Toward Universal Connectivity

On March 26, 2025, Vietnam’s government announced a five-year pilot program for Starlink, allowing SpaceX to bring satellite internet to up to 600,000 users. This decision is a big deal in a country where telecom has long been tightly regulated. Unlike traditional providers, Starlink won’t face foreign ownership limits, a rare move that shows Vietnam’s determination to close its digital gap. With over 1,500 villages still offline, Starlink’s low-orbit satellites could deliver high-speed internet to places where cables can’t reach.

Why This Hits Home: As a kid, I visited my grandparents in a rural Mekong Delta village. They had no internet, and even phone signals were spotty. Starlink could mean kids there can study online, farmers can check market prices, and families can video-call loved ones abroad.

The pilot, running until 2031, kicks off with a ground station in Danang, set to go live by mid-2025. SpaceX plans to build 10-15 more stations across Vietnam, ensuring coverage from mountain hamlets to coastal waters. Imagine fishermen staying connected at sea or airlines offering in-flight Wi-Fi—Starlink’s ambitions go beyond land-based internet.

Navigating Challenges

Of course, it’s not all smooth sailing. Vietnam’s government is keeping a close eye on Starlink, with the Ministries of Defense, Public Security, and Science overseeing the trial to protect national interests. This caution makes sense in a country where data security is a priority. Starlink will need to play by local rules, either partnering with Vietnamese companies or serving customers directly, which could spark new opportunities for local tech firms.

I was chatting with a friend who works in tech, and she pointed out another hurdle: cost. Starlink’s service is pricier than Vietnam’s affordable mobile data plans. For rural families, the price of equipment and subscriptions could be a stretch. Plus, the 600,000-user cap might limit how many people benefit during the pilot. Still, I’m hopeful. SpaceX is already collaborating with local manufacturers like Wistron NeWeb in Ha Nam to produce satellite gear, which could lower costs and create jobs. Local manufacturing partnerships could make Starlink more accessible in Vietnam.

A Geopolitical Chess Move

The timing of Starlink’s approval has people talking, especially on X, where I’ve seen posts calling it Vietnam’s “pivot to the West.” With U.S. tariffs looming, Vietnam is strengthening ties with American companies to ease trade tensions. Approving Starlink, alongside tariff cuts on U.S. goods, feels like a strategic play to keep the U.S. onside while countering China’s regional influence. One X user quipped, “Vietnam’s trading Huawei for Starlink vibes,” capturing the shift in tech alliances.

This geopolitical angle isn’t just talk. Vietnam’s push to become a tech manufacturing hub—already home to factories for Apple and Samsung—gets a boost from Starlink’s $1.5 billion investment. It’s a signal to the world that Vietnam is open for business, ready to blend global innovation with local expertise.

What’s Next for Vietnam?

As I sip coffee in a bustling District 1 café, I can’t help but feel excited about what Starlink could unlock. For students in remote areas, it’s access to online courses. For small businesses, it’s a chance to sell on global platforms like Shopee or Amazon. For communities, it’s staying connected in ways we once thought impossible. But the real test will be execution—can Starlink deliver reliable service at a price that works for everyday Vietnamese?

Big Picture: If this pilot succeeds, Vietnam could become a model for how satellite internet transforms developing nations. It might even lure more tech giants to invest here, cementing our role as Southeast Asia’s tech powerhouse.

There are still questions. Will Starlink’s speeds live up to the hype? Can it compete with Vietnam’s established telecom giants? And how will regulators balance innovation with control? For now, the buzz is real. Friends on X are already dreaming of gigabit internet in the countryside, and I’m right there with them.

So, what do you think? Is Starlink the key to Vietnam’s digital future, or just a flashy experiment? Drop your thoughts below—I’d love to hear from you!