Vietnam’s military-run telecom and technology groupViettel today (August 19) broke ground on two data and research and development projects worth a combined value of US$1 billion in Hanoi.

Rendered image of the Viettel Research and Development Center

The two centers are expected to be operational in 2026, marking a milestone in the country’s digital and technological ambitions.

One of the two projects, the Viettel Research & Development Center, will be located on a 13-hectare area at the Hoa Lac Hi-tech Park in Hanoi's Hoa Lac Commune, with an investment of VND10 trillion ($381 million).

Designed with six smart buildings, the center is scheduled for completion by 2030. It will be Vietnam’s first fully integrated facility covering the entire cycle of research, design, prototyping, and production of advanced technologies.

The facility will focus on developing missile and cruise engines, unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs), remote sensing satellites and radars.

Beyond defense, the center will also pioneer innovation in big data, artificial intelligence (AI), cloud computing, software and digital platforms.

Once completed, it is expected to employ 2,500 professionals in a smart, green and sustainable environment.

Meanwhile, the An Khanh Data Center in An Khanh Commune will cover 1.9 hectares with a total investment of VND17.5 trillion ($667 million). Phase one is set to begin operations in the second quarter of 2026.

By 2030, the facility will be expanded into Viettel’s second hyperscale data center. With a designed capacity of 60 MW, the center will be the largest in northern Vietnam, built to Uptime Tier III standards.

It will integrate AI developed by Viettel, employ a five-layer security system, and utilize advanced cooling technology to support national digital transformation and large-scale AI deployment.

Both projects reflect Viettel’s strategy to build secure, resilient, and future-proof infrastructure.

“These works are designed with absolute safety and multi-layered protection, using the most advanced technologies available,” the group noted.

The projects are part of a nationwide campaign to commence or inaugurate 250 developments across 34 provinces and cities, with a total investment of VND1.28 quadrillion ($48.8 billion), in celebration of the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution (August 19) and National Day (September 2).

In April, Viettel started construction of a 140 MW data center in Ho Chi Minh City, set to be among the top 10 in Southeast Asia when operational in 2026.

Vietnam is home to 41 commercial data centers operated by 12 enterprises, with a combined design capacity of 221 MW, according to a May report from the Ministry of Science and Technology.