The United States is actively lobbying Vietnam to steer clear of Chinese cable-laying firms, particularly HMN Technologies, as the Southeast Asian nation plans to construct ten new undersea cables by 2030. This push comes amid concerns over the security and reliability of subsea connections, which have suffered repeated failures and are crucial for Vietnam’s internet infrastructure.
Sources familiar with the discussions revealed that U.S. officials have raised alarms about possible sabotage of Vietnam’s existing subsea cables, sharing intelligence that suggests external interference could be a factor in the outages. Given the strategic importance of subsea cables in the ongoing U.S.-China tech rivalry, Washington is keen to ensure that Vietnam chooses partners that align more closely with its interests.
The U.S. and China are engaged in a significant struggle for influence in Vietnam, with leaders from both nations visiting last year and major investments pouring in from both sides. Despite Vietnam’s discussions with China about enhancing digital connectivity, U.S. officials have emphasized that choosing less experienced contractors like HMN Technologies—perceived as linked to Chinese tech giant Huawei—could deter American companies from investing in the country.
APTelecom, a consultancy involved in the discussions, has been tasked with convincing Hanoi that HMN’s relative inexperience in the cable-laying industry makes it a risky choice. U.S. officials have pointed out that while HMN Tech has only been active since 2008, established players like America’s SubCom and Japan’s NEC have decades of experience.
The urgency for new cables stems from significant outages affecting Vietnam’s existing subsea connections, prompting the government to set more ambitious infrastructure goals. Though the costs of these new projects remain undisclosed, analysts indicate that this expansion could represent one of the most substantial upgrades of undersea internet infrastructure by an emerging economy.
In addition to the lobbying efforts, U.S. telecom firm AT&T has engaged with Vietnamese officials regarding the subsea cable network, though it remains unclear if these discussions were coordinated with U.S. authorities. Meanwhile, Vietnam’s private tech giant, FPT, has expressed intentions to invest in a cable linked to a project by HMN Tech, but progress has stalled.
As the situation evolves, the competition for Vietnam’s undersea cable contracts intensifies. The outcome of this strategic tug-of-war will have implications not just for Vietnam’s internet infrastructure, but also for the broader geopolitical landscape in Southeast Asia.
