Vietnam’s data center market offers strong opportunities for foreign investors, supported by recent regulatory reforms, competitive construction costs, and the country’s strategic location in Southeast Asia. The development led by Viettel, building one of the largest high-tech data centers in the region, positions Vietnam to become a regional hub for data services. This milestone is expected to boost international interest and attract significant foreign investment.

Overview of Vietnam’s Data Center Landscape

Vietnam’s data center market has witnessed significant growth in recent years and is forecasted to reach 1.3 billion USD in revenue by 2030, with a compound annual growth rate of 11% from 2025 to 2030[1]. Currently, the country hosts 29 data centers, accounting for 51 MW of operational data center capacity, while the other 11 MW is under construction, and an additional 28 MW is planned within the next five to seven years[2]. These data centers are concentrated primarily in four key regions with Ho Chi Minh City leading the market of 14 data centers, followed by Hanoi with 11, while Da Nang and Binh Duong each have two centers[3].

In addition, the data center market is dominated by major domestic corporations such as FPT, Viettel, and VNPT. However, the landscape is poised to change since the Vietnamese government announced the Law on Telecommunications in 2023[4] – effective from July 2024 – that eases processes around data localization and cancels foreign ownership caps for data and cloud providers, as well as unrestricted investment and registration for foreign investors. These exemptions from the usual market entry restraint in Vietnam, allow international operators to easily enter the market:

– ST Telemedia Global Data Centers have announced a Joint Venture with VNG Corporation to build two data centers with a total capacity of 70 MW, expected to finish by early 2026[5].

– Hyosung Corporation plans to build a data center in Saigon Hi-Tech Park (SHTP) as one of the investments in the 2 billion USD investment plan for Vietnam[6].

The data center market also witnesses great support from the Vietnamese government, particularly through Decision No. 36/QĐ-TTg, which approves the Information and Communication Infrastructure Plan for the period 2021–2030, with a vision toward 2050. This strategic framework has significantly accelerated the development of the data center market in Vietnam[7].

Decision No. 36/QĐ-TTg: Approval of the Information and Communications infrastructure plan for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision toward 2050

Source: Vietnam Government Portal

Viettel’s Strategic Development and Expansion Plans

Viettel Group, Vietnam’s military-run telecom giant, is taking a leading role in the country’s data center development. At the groundbreaking ceremony held on April 23, 2025, Viettel’s CEO announced plans to build a High-Tech Data Center and R&D Complex in the Tan Phu Trung Industrial Park, Ho Chi Minh City. This facility will be Viettel’s 16th data center, contributing to the company’s goal of establishing 20 data centers nationwide by 2030.

The High-Tech Data Center complex is set to cover nearly four hectares, with a planned power capacity of 140 MW, accommodating around 10,000 server racks. It is designed to meet Uptime Institute Tier III standards. Notably, the facility will feature advanced technologies, including high rack power density of up to 60 kW per rack, advanced cooling systems, and AI-driven management solutions developed by Viettel. This data center is poised to support Vietnam’s increasing demand for AI, 5G networks, cloud computing, and the Internet of Things (IoT). The first phase is expected to be completed in Q1 2026, with full operations targeted by 2030[8].

Chairman of Viettel, Speaking at the Groundbreaking Ceremony for the High-Tech Data Center on April 23, 2025

Source: The Investor

Prospects and Challenges for Vietnam’s Data Center Market

According to the Cushman & Wakefield Construction Cost Guide in 2025, Vietnam ranks among the countries with the lowest data center construction costs in the Asia Pacific region. This cost advantage, combined with competitive land prices and a strategic geographical location, creates attractive opportunities for international investors seeking to enter a growing and economically favorable market[9].

Data center construction costs in some Asia Pacific countries in 2024

Source: Cushman & Wakefield

Additionally, the recent regulatory framework support from the government such as revised Telecommunications Law in 2023, increasing foreign ownership of data center operations from 49% to 100%, and data center planning roadmap in decision No. 36/QĐ-TTg have position a compelling opportunity for the market in future.

Despite its rapid growth, Vietnam’s data center market continues to face several significant challenges. One of the primary obstacles is ensuring a stable and reliable power supply, which is essential for uninterrupted data center operations. The national grid frequently experiences power outages, especially during peak demand periods, hindering consistent service delivery. Furthermore, navigating Vietnam’s complex legal and administrative framework poses considerable difficulties. Securing the necessary permits and complying with regulatory requirements can be time-consuming and cumbersome for investors. Additionally, the availability of skilled labor specifically trained in IT-related fields, and data center construction in particular, remains limited. This shortage is common in emerging markets, where the pool of workers qualified to manage large-scale, high-reliability industrial projects is still relatively small.

Conclusion

Viettel’s development of one of Southeast Asia’s largest data centers marks a significant step in Vietnam’s digital transformation journey. However, challenges such as unstable power supply, complex regulatory environments, and a shortage of skilled labor continue to impact growth. Overcoming these hurdles remains essential to establishing Vietnam’s control over its own digital infrastructure and becoming a key regional hub for data center services.

[1] Ministry of Science and Technology (2024). Vietnam’s Data Center Market to Reach US$1.26 billion by 2030 <Access>

[2] Cushman & Wakefield (2025). Vietnam’s Data Centre Construction Costs <Access>

[3] Data Center Map (2025). Vietnam Data Centers <Access>

[4] The Government Portal (2023). Law No. 24/2023/QH15: Telecommunications Law <Access>

[5] ST Telemedia (2024). ST Telemedia Global Data Centers Expands into Vietnam through a Joint Venture with VNG <Access>

[6] Afrika Vantage (2024). Hyosung’s $2 Billion Vietnam Investment Plan to Include a Data Center <Access>

[7] The Government Portal (2024). Decision No. 36/QĐ-TTg: Approval of the Information and Communications Infrastructure Plan for the 2021–2030 Period, with a Vision Toward 2050 <Access>

[8] The Investor (2025). Viettel Builds One of Southeast Asia’s Largest Data Centers <Access>

[9] Cushman & Wakefield (2025). Asia Pacific Data Center Construction Guide <Access>

* If you wish to quote any information from this article, please kindly cite the source along with the link to the original article to respect copyright.