Technology
Starlink begins offering satellite internet in Vietnam under government restrictions
SpaceX's Starlink has launched a trial service in Vietnam capped at 600,000 subscribers, but state regulations and local infrastructure requirements will subject the network to domestic censorship.
The short version
- SpaceX's Starlink has begun taking orders for satellite internet in Vietnam under a government-authorized trial capped at 600,000 subscribers through 2030.
- The service provides backup and rural connectivity, though high monthly costs and hardware prices may limit individual adoption in rural areas.
- Traffic will route through four local gateway stations supervised by Vietnamese state ministries, ensuring compliance with strict domestic laws and censorship mandates.
- It remains to be seen whether subsidies will be introduced to make individual subscriptions affordable for lower-income rural households.
Key facts
- Starlink began accepting orders in Vietnam with basic packages starting around €37 per month and equipment priced around €284.[Deutsche Welle]
- The Vietnamese government approved the trial in March 2025, waiving foreign ownership caps for up to 600,000 subscribers through 2030.[Deutsche Welle]
- Starlink operates locally through Starlink Services Vietnam and routes network traffic through four licensed domestic ground gateway stations supervised by state ministries.[Deutsche Welle]
- Vietnam's average monthly rural income was reported at €259 by the National Statistics Office, making the service costly for individual households without subsidies.[Deutsche Welle]
- Vietnam's regulations require social media and internet platforms to remove prohibited content within 24 hours upon official request.[Deutsche Welle]
What remains uncertain
- Whether public or institutional subsidies will be provided to help rural communities afford Starlink connections remains unknown.[Deutsche Welle]