Vietnam Shifts 5G Strategy with Chinese Suppliers Amid Trade Tensions
Huawei and ZTE have secured multiple 5G equipment contracts in Vietnam, marking a strategic shift in Hanoi's technology procurement policies. The deals, worth over $43 million combined, signal warming relations with Beijing amid cooling ties with Washington following recent tariff impositions.
While Ericsson and Nokia maintain control over Vietnam's Core 5G infrastructure, Chinese firms are increasingly winning supporting contracts. The April Huawei deal worth $23 million came weeks after new U.S. tariffs on Vietnamese exports, followed by ZTE's $20 million antenna contract last week.
Western governments continue to warn about security risks associated with Chinese telecom equipment, but Vietnam's procurement patterns show a clear directional change. The contracts represent both technological pragmatism and geopolitical positioning as Vietnam navigates complex international trade dynamics.
