MoIT leader accompanies PM on a visit to Laos-based Unitel

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh visits Star Telecom (Unitel) – a Laos-based joint venture of Viettel on the afternoon of October 8

Attending the session were Lao Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Defense, General Chansamone Chanyalath, leaders of various Lao ministries and sectors, and Vietnamese high-ranking officials, including Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, Minister of Labor, Invalids and Social Affairs Dao Ngoc Dung, and representatives from the Ministry of Defense, Ministry of Public Security, Viettel Group, as well as a large number of officials and employees of Star Telecom (Unitel).

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien accompanies Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh to visit Star Telecom (Unitel) - a Laos-based joint venture of Viettel

After nearly 15 years of operations, Unitel has become the largest telecommunications and digital service provider and one of the biggest contributors to the national budget in Laos. Unitel has been recognized by both the Vietnamese and Lao governments as a model of economic cooperation. Furthermore, Unitel has helped extend telecommunications access to 100 percent of the Lao population within just six years of providing services, up from 18 percent before its launch. For 13 consecutive years, Unitel has led the market, currently holding a 57-percent market share thanks to its extensive network infrastructure, which reaches every district in the country. Laos has become one of the Southeast Asian countries with the best 4G and high-speed internet access. Unitel is also the first network provider to test 5G in Laos.

Unitel is a pioneer in providing digital services and has become a strategic partner of the Lao government, implementing key e-government systems for the country (such as the Lao font system, online learning and testing platforms, civil registry management, electronic payments, etc.).

Notably, the U-money e-wallet has contributed to facilitating access to secure electronic payment services for users in both urban and rural areas of Laos. It has enabled officials in many district-level administrative agencies to receive their salaries and monthly policy allowances in a timely manner, especially in remote regions where banking services are not available.

With a market of only 7.5 million people, a sparse population density, and low telecommunications consumption, Unitel has made significant efforts to invest in Laos due to its social responsibility, particularly because of the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos. As a result, Laos has become one of the countries with the best telecommunications infrastructure in Southeast Asia.

Minister of Industry and Trade Nguyen Hong Dien, along with leaders of various ministries and sectors, accompanied the Prime Minister and Deputy Prime Minister in attending the working session

In 2023, Unitel continued to maintain its growth momentum and even made significant breakthroughs. Its revenue increased by 17.6 percent, the highest in the past eight years, with a growth rate of 24.6 percent in the first nine months of 2024. Cumulative revenue by the end of September 2024 exceeded US$2.3 billion, while pre-tax profit in 2023 rose by approximately 65.4 percent, and in the first nine months of 2024, it increased by 28.4 percent.

Unitel pays over US$40 million in taxes annually, ranking second in Laos and first in the local telecommunications sector. In addition to creating jobs for more than 27,000 employees, Unitel also takes on social responsibilities by providing significant support for the Lao Government to promote digital transformation and build an e-government. The company has implemented meaningful social programs, with a total sponsorship value exceeding US$41 million.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and the delegates take commemorative photos with leaders of Viettel and officials from various ministries and sectors

With the business philosophy of “bringing a better life” and a spirit of friendship, Unitel continues to contribute to elevating Laos’ telecommunications services to the level of developed countries. The company is also set to commercialize 5G services on the occasion of the upcoming 15th anniversary of its presence in Laos.

Unitel aims to achieve a revenue of US$323 million by 2025, continuing to affirm its status as a model of economic cooperation between Vietnam and Laos. The company contributes to social development and strives to bring a better life to the people of Laos.

Speaking at the meeting, the Prime Minister congratulated Unitel - a military enterprise, for its effective operation over the past 15 years. He praised the efforts of Viettel in general and Unitel in particular that have contributed to Lao socio-economic development and social security.

Prime Minister Chinh asked Unitel to continue to make efforts, carry out its political tasks, contributing to consolidating and strengthening the special friendship between Vietnam and Laos and the close relationship of the two ministries of National Defense.

Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chinh delivers a speech at the working session

In the spirit of “Listening and understanding together; sharing vision and action together; working and developing together; enjoying happiness and pride together,” Prime Minister Chinh requested Unitel to do business in accordance with the Lao laws, according to market rules; pioneer in innovation, digital transformation, green transformation, circular economy, knowledge economy in Laos; always adapts to different circumstances; and continue the good work on social security like the tradition of the Vietnamese people.

In particular, in Star Telecom Company where both Vietnamese and Laotians are working together, the Prime Minister noted that the company’s employees must regard one another as brothers, and comrades on the economic front. He also urged the staff of Unitel to maintain and promote the bravery of the Vietnam People's Army, further enhancing the image of “Uncle Ho’s soldiers” in Laos.

In response to the Prime Minister's directions, the leader of Viettel Group promises to devote all of its best resources and apply the latest technologies to further contribute to Laos and its citizens, worthy of being a symbol of cooperation and friendship between the ministries of National Defense and the Governments of Vietnam and Laos./.