Vietnam Seizes Fiber Optic Cable

Vietnam has strengthened its undersea fiber optic infrastructure with the Asia Direct Cable (ADC), amid security concerns and geopolitical tensions involving foreign suppliers.Overview of Vietnam's Submarine Cable InfrastructureVietnam currently operates several undersea fiber optic cables connecting it to the global internet. The most significant recent addition is the Asia Direct Cable (ADC), which spans approximately 9,800 kilometers and links Vietnam with China, Hong Kong, Thailand, the Philippines, Singapore, and Japan . The ADC has a maximum capacity of 50 Tbps, surpassing the combined capacity of Vietnam's five existing international cables (IA, AAE-1, APG, AAG, and SMW-3) by 125% . The landing station is located in Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh Province, and Viettel, a military-run telecom group, fully owns the Vietnamese branch and part of the main international trunk .Strategic and Security ConsiderationsVietnam's government has expressed concerns over the security of its undersea cables, particularly regarding foreign suppliers. The U.S. has reportedly lobbied Vietnam to avoid contracts with Chinese companies, citing potential risks of sabotage or espionage . This is part of a broader digital infrastructure development strategy, which includes rolling out 5G networks and integrating technologies like AI, cloud computing, and IoT by 2030 . Vietnam plans to expand its undersea cable network to 10 cables by 2030, though this remains modest compared to regional neighbors such as Singapore, Malaysia, and the Philippines .Implications of Cable ControlControl over undersea cables is critical for internet reliability, national security, and economic competitiveness. The ADC not only increases Vietnam's international connectivity and internet speeds but also provides redundancy to mitigate disruptions from cable failures . Any action to seize or secure cables would likely be motivated by the need to protect national digital infrastructure and ensure uninterrupted service for both civilian and military communications.Geopolitical ContextThe ADC project involved a consortium of nine telecom companies, including Viettel (Vietnam), SoftBank (Japan), Tata Communications (India), Singtel (Singapore), and several Chinese firms . While Viettel is the sole Vietnamese investor, the involvement of Chinese companies has raised geopolitical sensitivities, prompting careful consideration of supplier selection to balance technological advancement with security concerns . In summary, Vietnam's undersea fiber optic network, highlighted by the ADC, is a strategic asset. Any measures to seize or secure cables reflect the country's efforts to safeguard its digital infrastructure amid rising regional and global security concerns.