Vietnam has officially authorized SpaceX’s Starlink to launch its satellite internet services nationwide, marking a milestone for billionaire Elon Musk’s aerospace firm as it enters one of Southeast Asia’s fastest-growing digital economies.

The licence was issued to the local subsidiary, Starlink Services Vietnam Ltd, allowing it to provide both fixed and mobile satellite internet services. The approval, which includes the right to use specific radio frequencies and equipment, follows a pilot programme framework established by the Vietnamese government last year.

The Radio Frequency Directorate, under the Ministry of Science and Technology, confirmed the frequency licensing for Starlink Services Vietnam. The approval allows the company to establish its initial infrastructure, including four gateway stations and a capacity of up to 600,000 terminal devices.

The move is part of a five-year pilot programme mandated by a prime minister’s decision that aims to test low-earth orbit ( LEO ) satellite technology to bridge the digital divide in Vietnam’s remote, mountainous, and island regions. The pilot is scheduled to conclude by January 1 2031.

The regulatory green light comes at a pivotal diplomatic juncture. Vietnam’s top leader, Party General Secretary To Lam, is expected to travel to the United States in the next few days. Sources say he is set to attend the inaugural meeting of US President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative, a new diplomatic platform focused on resolving global conflicts.

The licensing also arrives amid complex trade negotiations. The US currently maintains a 20% tariff on most Vietnamese-made goods. It also imposes a punitive 40% tariff on transshipments, which target products suspected of being rerouted through Vietnam from third countries, such as China, to circumvent US trade barriers.

SpaceX had earlier signalled its intent to invest approximately US$1.5 billion in Vietnam. The Starlink rollout is seen as a major step in strengthening bilateral commercial ties while providing critical high-speed connectivity to Vietnam’s remote and maritime regions.

While a final comprehensive trade deal has not yet been announced following a sixth round of talks earlier this month, industry analysts view the Starlink approval as a “bridge-building” gesture by Vietnam ahead of the US visit.