Vietnam is setting new standards with its first international land cable connection!

Vietnam is setting new standards with its first international land cable connection!

In a significant step for Vietnam's digital infrastructure, the Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) officially activated the VSTN international land cable connection on August 4, 2025. This is the first cable connection to reach directly from Vietnam to Singapore and does so exclusively via land-based infrastructure. This connection is not only technologically advanced, but also fully owned and operated by VNPT, making it the first international cable connection 100% operated by a Vietnamese company. This underlines the independence of submarine cables and consolidates Vietnam's position as a data transit hub in the region, reports vietnam.vn.

The VSTN cable line has a total length of approximately 3,900 kilometers and extends through five ASEAN countries: Vietnam, Laos, Thailand, Malaysia and Singapore. VNPT's technology center in Da Nang connects to leading international data centers in the region, including IDC Telehouse in Thailand, MY01 Cyberjaya and Equinix JH01 in Johor Bahru, Malaysia, as well as Equinix and Global Switch centers in Singapore. These data centers are crucial for improving telecommunications infrastructure and data security, such as submarinenetworks.com points out.

Technological innovations and challenges

The VSTN uses DWDM (Dense Wavelength Division Multiplexing) transmission technology with a capacity of up to 4 terabits per second, which can be expanded to 12 terabits per second if required. This technology allows VNPT to directly control the entire route from Vietnam to Singapore, guaranteeing quick resolution of incidents and overall improved efficiency.

Another important aspect of the VSTN initiative is its role as a backup route. Frequent international submarine cable failures have affected internet quality and international connections in recent years. According to VNPT, since 2022, Vietnam's international submarine cables have experienced an average of more than ten problems per year, resulting in network congestion. The new land connection can therefore be viewed as a “safety valve” that reduces the load on submarine cables and strengthens the reliability of the telecommunications system.

A look into the future

Minister Nguyen Manh Hung congratulated VNPT on the commissioning of this new connection and highlighted the need to diversify both submarine and terrestrial fiber optic cables for safety and sustainability. The VSTN project not only contributes to strengthening Vietnam's national telecommunications infrastructure, but also demonstrates a strategic vision for proactive connectivity and increased flexibility. With the VSTN optical cable connection, Vietnam is no longer completely dependent on submarine cables. This opens up new perspectives for the development of the digital market in the region.

Overall, the commissioning of the VSTN cable connection is an important step in the right direction to further improve Vietnam's digital infrastructure and remain internationally competitive.