HANOI – Vietnam’s Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh announced on Saturday that the government is moving swiftly to grant a pilot license for Elon Musk’s Starlink to provide satellite internet services in the country.
Speaking at a meeting with nearly 40 U.S. businesses in Hanoi, Chinh also addressed Vietnam’s efforts to rebalance its growing trade surplus with the U.S. He highlighted potential imports of aircraft, arms, liquefied natural gas, agricultural goods, and pharmaceuticals as measures to ease trade tensions.
Vietnam, which recorded a record trade surplus with the U.S. last year, is working to avoid potential tariffs threatened by President Donald Trump. The government’s website confirmed that Chinh has directed the Ministry of Science and Technology to accelerate the approval process for Starlink’s trial operations.
In February, Vietnam’s parliament approved a temporary policy allowing foreign satellite internet providers to operate in the country while ensuring full government control over their local subsidiaries—an adjustment that aligns with Musk’s preconditions for entering the market.
A U.S. official present at the meeting expressed optimism, stating that the discussions could help resolve long-standing issues for American companies operating in Vietnam. Meanwhile, Chinh is expected to hold further talks with foreign investors in the coming days to reassure businesses amid ongoing global trade uncertainties.