Photo courtesy of VnExpress

Vietnam will permanently switch off its 2G mobile network in September, ending more than 30 years of service and requiring users to have VoLTE-compatible devices to continue making voice calls.

WHAT USERS NEED TO DO

Mobile carriers began sending alerts in mid-July advising subscribers to enable VoLTE, or 4G and 5G calling, and check that their handsets support the technology. Smartphones sold in recent years usually enable VoLTE automatically, but some older devices and grey-market imports may need manual configuration or may not be compatible.

Once 2G towers are switched off, phones without VoLTE will be unable to make or receive calls, even if their 4G mobile data continues working.

A PHASED NETWORK RETIREMENT

The shutdown follows Vietnam's national radio spectrum plan. Telecom providers stopped serving 2G-only handsets in October 2024, except in remote locations including the Spratly and Paracel archipelagos and offshore platforms. Regulators allowed a transition period before the complete closure.

The change allows operators to reuse spectrum for newer mobile services while removing ageing infrastructure.

WHAT IT MEANS FOR FOREIGNERS IN VIETNAM

Foreign residents and visitors using an older handset, an imported phone or a travel SIM should check VoLTE compatibility before September. The setting may appear as VoLTE, 4G Calling or Enhanced LTE under mobile-network options.

Anyone unsure should contact their Vietnamese mobile provider or test outgoing calls while mobile data is set to 4G or 5G. Replacing an incompatible handset before the shutdown will help avoid losing voice service, including access to emergency and business calls.

24 July 2026

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