Overview of Vietnam's Submarine Cable System: A Gateway to International Infrastructure

Submarine cables play a crucial role as vital bridges, enabling Vietnam's internet system to connect with the global network. Do you know which submarine cable routes currently link Vietnam to the world?

Top 5 important submarine cables in Vietnam

Submarine cables are systems of cables installed on the seabed, playing a crucial role in connecting global infrastructure. These cables serve multiple functions, such as transmitting data, electrical power, and telecommunications signals between countries and continents. Vietnam currently has 5 key submarine cables to ensure high-speed international internet connectivity and maintain exceptional stability.

1. AAG Submarine Cable

The AAG submarine cable is the longest connecting submarine cable in Vietnam, landing in Vung Tau, and is utilized by most domestic internet service providers for international connectivity. Operational since 2009, AAG is a key cable line, playing a crucial role in ensuring the speed and stability of international internet connections. This cable has:

- Capacity: 2.88 Tbps

- Length: 20,000 km

- Connectivity: Southeast Asia to the United States, passing through intermediary points such as Hong Kong, the Philippines, Guam, and Hawaii.

Map of the AAG Submarine Cable Route (Source: submarinecablemap)

2. APG Submarine Cable

The Asia Pacific Gateway (APG) is a submarine cable with a large transmission capacity, offering superior connection speeds compared to previous cables like SMW3 and AAG. Operational since the second quarter of 2016, the APG cable not only helps relieve the load on older cables like AAG but also plays a key role in enhancing international connectivity. It is safe to say that this cable is strategically important in Viettel's international network. By investing in this cable, Viettel ensures stable international bandwidth and meets connectivity demands in key markets such as Japan, South Korea, and China.

- Capacity: 54.8 Tbps

- Length: 10,400 km

- Connectivity: China, Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea, Taiwan, Vietnam, Malaysia, Thailand, Singapore.

Map of the APG Submarine Cable Route (Source: submarinecablemap)

3. IA Submarine Cable

Intra Asia (IA): The TGN-Intra Asia (TGN-IA) cable, also known as the Asia-Europe cable, is considered an important submarine cable for transferring traffic to the Americas and Europe for customers in Vietnam and the surrounding region. Launched in early 2009 and built by Tata Communications, this cable had an initial investment cost of up to 20 million USD.

- Capacity: 3.84 Tbps

- Length: 6,800 km

- Connectivity: Singapore, Vietnam, Hong Kong, Philippines, Guam, Japan.

Map of the IA Submarine Cable Route (Source: submarinecablemap)

4. SMW3 Submarine Cable

The SMW-3 (SEA-ME-WE3 or South-East Asia – Middle East – Western Europe 3) submarine cable is currently the longest in the world and the only cable that connects Asia through India to Europe, rather than heading toward the Americas like other submarine cables.

- Capacity: 320 Tbps

- Length: 39,000 km

- Connectivity: Southeast Asia, the Middle East, and Western Europe.

The SMW-3 cable has a wide connectivity range, linking 39 countries worldwide and serving as a vital bridge between regions. In Vietnam, this cable lands in Da Nang, contributing to the stability and speed of internet connectivity in Southeast Asia. Additionally, SMW-3 effectively supports intercontinental data transmission, making a significant contribution to the growth of international trade and telecommunications.

Map of the SMW-3 Submarine Cable Route (Source: submarinecablemap)

5. ADC Submarine Cable

The ADC (Asia Direct Cable), officially launched on December 19, 2024, is currently the largest submarine cable in Vietnam and plays a crucial role in enhancing internet connectivity, ensuring national information security, and promoting the development of advanced digital services. With impressive technical specifications, it is the most modern submarine cable in Vietnam:

- Capacity: 160 Tbps

- Length: 10,000 km

- Connectivity: Vietnam, Japan, the Philippines, China, Singapore, and Thailand.

Map of the ADC Submarine Cable Route (Source: submarinecablemap)

Viettel is the only Vietnamese entity participating in the investment consortium for this cable and owns the entire submarine cable branch and landing station in Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh. Viettel also owns a pair of fibers on the main trunk of the cable, with a minimum designed capacity of 20 Tbps. It is expected that customers in Vietnam will begin using the service in early 2025.

Vision for the Development of Vietnam's Submarine Cable Infrastructure

According to the ICT infrastructure planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050, the Vietnamese Ministry of Information and Communications has outlined a strategy for the development of the international submarine cable system with the goal of enhancing global connectivity capacity.

2024 – 2027 Period

During this period, Vietnam will focus on heavily investing in submarine cable infrastructure. On December 19, 2024, the ADC submarine cable will officially begin operation, adding international connectivity capacity. In 2025, the SJC5 cable will be deployed to increase capacity and reduce dependence on older cables. Before 2027, the ALC cable will be completed, bringing the total number of new cables in operation to at least four during this period, with total connectivity capacity reaching a minimum of 134 Tbps.

During this time, Vietnam will also continue to maintain key connectivity hubs in Singapore, Hong Kong, and Japan, while periodically reviewing, assessing, and adjusting connection points to meet actual needs. Notably, Vietnam aims to complete and operate at least one submarine cable and one international terrestrial cable owned by the country itself.

2028 – 2030 Period

In this phase, Vietnam will continue to expand its scale by deploying at least six new submarine cable lines, raising the total designed capacity to 350 Tbps. At the same time, one submarine cable and one international terrestrial cable owned by Vietnam will become operational.

Vietnam aims to ensure 90% of its connectivity capacity is linked to major digital hubs in Asia, with 10% of backup capacity directed towards digital hubs in the Americas and Europe. These strategic advancements will not only enhance Vietnam's role in the global data transmission network but also strongly promote the digital economy and the development of regional digital hubs.

Asia Direct Cable (ADC) Submarine Cable: A Major Breakthrough

The Asia Direct Cable (ADC) is the submarine cable with the largest bandwidth capacity in Vietnam, three times the capacity of the APG (Asia Pacific Gateway) cable. This cable, implemented by Viettel, will connect Vietnam to major international digital hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States, helping to expand global connectivity and data transmission capabilities.

Currently, digital hubs such as Singapore, Hong Kong, and the United States play a crucial role in data exchange between regions and countries. This means that direct connectivity with these hubs offers significant advantages for Viettel and international customers. For example, customers can take advantage of modern infrastructure, reduce latency, and increase transmission speed, resulting in higher efficiency for global businesses, especially in sectors requiring high bandwidth like 5G, AI, IoT, and big data.

With its strategic location in the heart of Southeast Asia, Vietnam is an ideal market for businesses and service providers seeking opportunities in the region and globally. Viettel IDC proudly leads the way in Data Center technology and cloud computing in Vietnam. Particularly, with the advantage of owning the best ADC cable in the country, Viettel IDC not only offers direct connectivity to international hubs but also provides pioneering Data Center solutions, leading the market in Vietnam.

This advantage is further elevated by Viettel IDC, the leader in international-standard Data Centers, which integrate green technology and are directly connected to submarine cable infrastructure. This is the ideal solution to help global businesses easily expand operations in Vietnam without concerns about internet disruption or data transmission limitations.

Viettel IDC, the largest and greenest Data Center and Cloud Computing service provider in Vietnam.

Vietnam has been undergoing a strong transformation to become the Digital Hub of the region, serving as a strategic bridge in the global data flow. With its advantageous geographical location, modern telecommunications infrastructure, and remarkable digital growth, Vietnam opens up countless opportunities for international businesses to tap into the region's potential.

Viettel IDC is proud to be the pioneer of Viettel and Vietnam in providing comprehensive digital infrastructure solutions, from international-standard data centers to strong Internet connectivity through strategic submarine cable lines. Partner with Viettel IDC today to leverage optimal connectivity, accelerate digital transformation, and achieve ambitious goals in the digital era.

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