Vietnam’s government has approved SpaceX to roll out its Starlink satellite internet service in the country, according to state media reports published on Saturday.
The report said Vietnam’s Ministry of Science and Technology granted Starlink’s local unit a license to provide both fixed and mobile satellite internet services. The company was also issued permission to use radio frequencies and operate radio equipment.
The ministry did not immediately respond to requests for confirmation outside regular business hours, while SpaceX also did not reply to a request for comment over the weekend.
The approval comes ahead of an expected visit next week by Vietnam’s top leader To Lam to the United States. He is reportedly set to attend the inaugural meeting of U.S. President Donald Trump’s “Board of Peace” initiative, aimed at addressing global conflicts. The trip has not yet been officially confirmed.
Vietnam had previously said it would allow SpaceX to operate Starlink on a trial basis, announced last year.
Local media said it remains unclear when Starlink will officially launch its services in Vietnam.
The decision also comes at a time when Vietnam and the United States are negotiating a trade deal after Washington imposed 20% tariffs on Vietnamese goods in August. The two countries held their sixth round of negotiations earlier this month, but no agreement has been announced so far.