Vietnamese Enterprises at a Major Crossroads: Hanoi Telecom – A Vision to Lead Digital Transformation

As a private telecommunications enterprise with over 20 years of development, Hanoi Telecom has quietly built a digital infrastructure that stretches across provinces — from fiber optic networks to data centers, Cloud systems, the Vietnamobile mobile network, and an AI platform currently under pilot testing. However, such achievements do not guarantee a smooth path ahead.

Opportunities and Challenges

Opportunities now arise from unprecedented macro-level drivers in modern Vietnamese history. Resolution 57-NQ/TW identifies digital transformation and innovation as among the foremost "strategic breakthroughs," with enterprises at the center. At the same time, Resolution 68-NQ/TW reaffirms the pivotal role of the private sector in shaping the future digital economy. Within this context, Hanoi Telecom is clearly well-positioned — not only due to its existing infrastructure but also thanks to a methodical strategy and bold vision.

With four core pillars — Telecommunications, Information Technology, Technical Services & Clean Energy, and Logistics & Commerce — Hanoi Telecom boasts a comprehensive ecosystem ready to compete at a higher level. Beyond telecom services, the company is making significant investments in AI platforms, IoT, Smart BTS, smart cameras, digital logistics, and intelligent transportation systems. These efforts placed Hanoi Telecom among the Top 10 Innovative IT-Telecom Companies of 2024, a clear testament to its technological potential and practical solution delivery capabilities.

However, one cannot speak of Hanoi Telecom without addressing the core challenges it faces. The most visible is the inequality in accessing telecommunications infrastructure. As a smaller network operator, Hanoi Telecom lacks ownership of major transmission lines and base stations like the industry giants and must rely on leased infrastructure. High costs and inconsistent quality form major obstacles, restricting both expansion and the ability to improve user experience. While policy proposals to adjust infrastructure leasing prices are essential, their success depends on policy alignment — which is not always guaranteed.

Additionally, Hanoi Telecom is under growing pressure from legal regulations related to data safety, management of SIM card misuse, digital infrastructure, and system security. In an environment where digital trust is paramount, even a minor cybersecurity incident could cost the company dearly in both brand reputation and market share. This is not to mention the heavy investment required in core technologies, cloud infrastructure, AI, and internationally certified data centers — commitments that not every company can sustain long-term.

Lastly, the market itself poses a considerable challenge: user expectations are rising, while the Vietnamobile brand, despite its dynamism, is still perceived as a “secondary network” with inconsistent quality. Improving brand perception while ensuring infrastructure quality to retain loyal users is a long-term equation Hanoi Telecom must solve.

A Mission to Become a New Symbol of Private-Sector Technology

Amid the intersection of opportunity and challenge, Hanoi Telecom is carving out a new position — not just as an infrastructure provider, but as a pioneer driving systemic digital transformation. Notably, the company doesn’t just talk about technology — it lives the spirit of innovation, from internal restructuring and workforce investment to inspiring local business communities.

The mission Hanoi Telecom has chosen — to become a model of digital transformation in the private sector — is not an easy one. It involves simultaneous execution, policy advocacy, and partnering with the government to co-create a fairer, more transparent institutional framework for the digital economy. The company’s active presence in national forums, local initiatives, and policy proposals around infrastructure and technology shows that it is unafraid to speak up for the common good. In an economy still hampered by "soft bottlenecks" in policy, such practical voices are indispensable.

Strategically, the company’s strong investment in human resources — with the "HTC Digital Park" project in Da Nang, university–enterprise partnerships, and community-centered ESG projects — demonstrates a clear commitment to sustainable development. A company aiming for long-term success in technology cannot rely solely on software or equipment; it needs a “technological spirit,” a human ecosystem, and an authentic culture of innovation. That is what Hanoi Telecom is quietly building, and if it perseveres, it will create a sustainable advantage that no competitor can easily replicate.

In the long run, Hanoi Telecom’s journey is more than a business story — it resembles a mission: to build a fairer tech landscape, encourage healthy competition, and support the rise of private enterprises in the telecom and technology sectors — areas traditionally seen as domains of state-owned giants. If successful, Hanoi Telecom will not only elevate its own standing but also pave the way for other private tech enterprises to emerge, with aspirations to contribute and lead.

The greatest lesson in any country’s tech development is not found in resources or markets, but in the people who dare to lead, create, and challenge boundaries. Hanoi Telecom is walking that path with the belief that Vietnam’s technological future is not just a dream — it is an achievable goal, if there is enough determination and persistence.

Leading Through Inner Strength, Inspiring Through Humanity

On its bold journey of transformation as one of Vietnam’s leading private telecom & tech enterprises, Hanoi Telecom is exemplifying a leadership model that is dynamic, resilient, and deeply rooted in innovation. Under the guidance of an experienced management team — including Chairman Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phạm Ngọc Lãng, CEO Trịnh Minh Châu, and especially Deputy CEO Nguyễn Hiền Phương — the company is demonstrating long-term vision and the agility to navigate the volatile digital era.

Ms. Nguyễn Hiền Phương, a rare representative of the 8X generation of female leaders in ICT, plays a key role in driving digital transformation, diversifying services, and executing sustainable strategies. What’s notable is how Hanoi Telecom’s leadership has chosen a quiet path — patiently building strategic foundations through digital infrastructure, a diversified portfolio, emerging service ecosystems, and serious investment in high-quality human capital. This practical and deeply thought-out approach helped the company not only weather the COVID-19 crisis but also accelerate through initiatives such as:

• Establishing the EcoDC Tier III-certified international-standard data center
  
  
• Launching the remote learning platform “Kết nối gia sư”
  
  
• Founding the Tekmonk Academy to train the next generation in digital technology
  
  
• Releasing pioneering products and services in AI, cybersecurity, cloud infrastructure, and mobile telecommunications
  
  

Among Hanoi Telecom's leadership, Ms. Nguyễn Hiền Phương stands out distinctly. Unassuming and discreet, she leads with a calm but resolute energy that reflects an inner strength. Her leadership philosophy — “be a colleague-leader” — is not just a slogan but a genuine management practice rooted in empathy. By always placing herself in the position of an employee to understand issues, she not only resolves internal conflicts effectively but also fosters creativity and initiative in individuals. This approach not only ensures smooth operations but also nurtures a work culture built on trust, dedication, and long-term commitment.

Her vision goes far beyond market share or revenue growth. Alongside her colleagues, she is steering the company toward a broader social role through consistent and impactful CSR activities. Programs like “Sóng và máy tính cho em” (Waves and Computers for Children), vaccine fundraising campaigns, and the “LIFT UP THE LIGHTS” initiative to build schools in remote areas reflect a deeper view of corporate responsibility. For Hanoi Telecom, these are not mere acts of charity — they represent a philosophy that digital transformation must go hand-in-hand with raising awareness and ensuring access to knowledge for all.

At a time when the telecom & tech market is entering a fiercely competitive phase around digital capabilities, data security, and product innovation, Hanoi Telecom is not racing on advertising or burning cash — it chooses to compete through internal strength and genuine value creation. The leadership of individuals like Ms. Hiền Phương is a defining factor. In her, one sees a rare combination of operational acumen, organizational insight, and unwavering resolve — a modern leadership archetype capable of guiding a company through challenges while inspiring lasting value for both the industry and society.

With an increasingly robust infrastructure, a governance vision rooted in sustainable innovation, and a human-centered approach to development, Hanoi Telecom is taking confident strides toward becoming a national tech brand with global competitiveness. This success owes much to leaders like Nguyễn Hiền Phương — those who believe in indigenous intelligence and the power of collective progress.