SpaceX Plans Starlink Ground Stations in Vietnam

SpaceX is advancing its plans to launch Starlink satellite internet in Vietnam by establishing ground stations, with the first expected to be operational in Danang by June. The Vietnamese government has authorized a five-year pilot program allowing Starlink to serve up to 600,000 customers while maintaining local data compliance, including routing all traffic through a local gateway. This initiative comes amid heightened trade tensions, as the U.S. government considers tariffs on countries, including Vietnam, that have significant trade surpluses with the U.S. SpaceX plans to invest $1.5 billion in Vietnam and aims to build a network of 10-15 ground stations across the country. The project is seen as a strategic move to enhance internet connectivity, particularly in remote areas, while also enabling the government to monitor data more effectively. Despite potential trade barriers, SpaceX remains committed to expanding its presence in Southeast Asia.