Viettel targets US$1.5 billion in revenue from overseas markets

Telecom giant Viettel is optimistic about achieving the goal of collecting US$1.5 billion from its nine overseas markets in 2016 following positive signals from these markets, the Dau Tu (Investment) newspaper reported.
Viettel has so far invested in Laos, Cambodia, Timor Leste, Cameroon, Haiti, Mozambique, Burundi, Peru and Tanzania. 

At the end of the second quarter, overseas markets have brought about US$493.8 million, up 13% from last year but equal to just one third of the year target. 

But a surge in revenues of Bitel, Viettel’s brand in Peru, a two-digit growth in African markets and the stable expansion in the remaining markets, plus the expected stronger growth in year-end months, justify the corporation’s confidence in meeting its target. 

Bitel mobile network is launched in Peru. (Source: pqs.pe)

Bitel mobile network is launched in Peru. (Source: pqs.pe)

According to Tao Duc Thang, deputy general director of Viettel who is in charge of the Peru market, Bitel has recorded revenues of US$60 million in the first half of this year, double the figure for the entire 2015. Bitel’s subscribers are increasing at 41%, five-fold the average rate of Peru’s telecom sector. 

Bitel hopes to achieve 3 million subscribers in 2016, double from 2015 figure. 

Meanwhile, all African markets of Viettel posted positive growth with a subscriber growth of 21%, Le Dang Dung, deputy general director of Viettel, said. 

Halotel, Viettel’s brand in Tanzania, reported two million subscribers after just nine months in operation while Nexttel in Cameroon, which was launched in September 2014, now has 2.5 million customers. 

But it is Laos and Cambodia which are really “the geese that laid golden eggs” for Viettel among its nine overseas markets. 

Unitel, Viettel’s brand in Laos, reached US$1 billion in accumulated revenue after seven years and aggregate profit has been over US$300 million . 

Unitel now has more than 2.5 million customers and accounts for 47% of the mobile market and 35% of the broadband market in Laos. 

According to the UK-based Brand Finance, Unitel is Southeast Asia’s most effective mobile brand in 2016 and its brand value increased 106% from 2015 to reach US$132 million, entering the top 30 most valuable brands in the region and the number one in Laos. 

Meanwhile, Viettel’s Metfone brand in Cambodia is valued at US$94 million in 2016. 

After seven years of operation, Metfone has now become the leading mobile service provider in Cambodia with 5.5 million customers, equal to 37% of the market share. 

Metfone brought in US$256 million in revenue in 2015

VNA

Other News

Data-driven land valuation to curb speculation: Experts

Data-driven land valuation to curb speculation: Experts

From a property-market perspective, Do Thi Thu Giang, National Director of Valuation and Advisory at Savills Vietnam, said the orientations under Resolution No. 21-NQ/TW could make the market more transparent and efficient, with property values increasingly tied to actual development and use potential.

Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW sets new growth drivers for Vietnam

Resolution No. 19-NQ/TW sets new growth drivers for Vietnam

Science and technology, innovation, digital transformation and AI must be translated into higher productivity rather than pursued as ends in themselves. At the same time, people should be placed at the centre of development, not merely viewed as a resource but as the ultimate objective of development policies.

Expo to open door for Vietnamese suppliers to enter US market

Expo to open door for Vietnamese suppliers to enter US market

US retail giant Target is seeking Vietnamese suppliers of household goods, home textiles, children’s products, personal care and beauty products, with a focus on companies capable of manufacturing and developing products that meet requirements on quality, design and supply chain management.

2026 Banking Sector Digital Transformation to open in Hanoi

2026 Banking Sector Digital Transformation to open in Hanoi

The annual event, which will be held on August 18-19, 2026, at the ICE International Exhibition Centre, 91 Tran Hung Dao Street, Hanoi, is expected to attract around 324 delegates and feature 21 booths representing credit institutions, payment intermediary service providers, and technology companies.

Vietnam – one of most attractive destinations for leading US semiconductor companies: expert

Vietnam – one of most attractive destinations for leading US semiconductor companies: expert

Vietnam has built a solid semiconductor and electronics industry before joining ITSI, attracting major US semiconductor companies. Intel Products Vietnam is one of Intel's largest assembly and testing facilities worldwide, while chip design companies such as Synopsys, Cadence, Marvell and Qualcomm have established engineering and research centres in the Southeast Asian country.

Vietnam targets higher-quality FDI under Resolution 10

Vietnam targets higher-quality FDI under Resolution 10

During the first seven months of 2026, Vietnam attracted more than 38 billion USD in registered FDI, up nearly 58% year-on-year. More importantly, the increase was driven by large-scale, high-tech projects rather than a surge in the number of new investments, signalling a significant improvement in the quality of capital inflows.

Manufacturing, engineering drive hiring growth in H1: report

Manufacturing, engineering drive hiring growth in H1: report

Manufacturing and engineering posted the strongest recruitment growth, with hiring demand surging 70% year-on-year, driven by production expansion, supply chain restructuring and sustained investment inflows in high-tech manufacturing.

Government proposes special mechanisms to unblock APEC 2027 projects in Phu Quoc

Government proposes special mechanisms to unblock APEC 2027 projects in Phu Quoc

The projects in Phu Quoc have been implemented under tight deadlines. Since May 2025, the Prime Minister has directed preparations for APEC 2027, including accelerated infrastructure development on the special zone. An Giang province and investors have subsequently launched a number of major projects involving complex technical requirements and demanding construction schedules.

Financial market reform plan targets high, sustained growth through 2045

Financial market reform plan targets high, sustained growth through 2045

The plan seeks to develop a balanced and modern financial market that is closely integrated with regional and global markets, strengthens the mobilisation and allocation of domestic and foreign capital, and enhances the market’s role as a key provider of medium- and long-term capital for the economy and as a major driver of sustained high economic growth.

An Giang aims to become leading maritime economic hub

An Giang aims to become leading maritime economic hub

Under the province's master plan for 2021–2030 with a vision to 2050, An Giang will prioritise investment in five strategic sectors: strategic infrastructure; processing industries and clean energy; trade, services, logistics and border-gate economy; high-quality tourism; and high-tech agriculture, ecological development and the circular economy.