Hanoi, Vietnam – Traditional voice calls are rapidly losing ground to internet-based messaging and calling applications like Zalo, Messenger, and Viber in Vietnam, a shift dramatically highlighted by a significant drop in call volume during the recent Lunar New Year holiday. The trend reflects a broader global move towards Over-The-Top (OTT) communication services, but the decline in Vietnam is particularly stark, signaling a fundamental change in how people connect.
The shift isn’t simply about cost savings, though that’s a factor. As Hanoi resident Thanh Hoa explained to VTC News, the convenience and integrated features of apps like Zalo have made them indispensable. “I only use traditional voice calls when calling new people or strangers whose phone numbers I don’t have,” she said. “Once I have their numbers, I also add them to the Zalo app for convenient communication in various ways, and especially to save the conversation information for easy retrieval later.” This sentiment is increasingly common, with many Vietnamese users now relying on these platforms for both personal and professional communication.
The impact on traditional telecommunications infrastructure is already being felt. During the 2026 Lunar New Year – typically a peak period for voice calls – domestic voice traffic decreased by 17% compared to the same period last year, according to statistics from the Telecommunications Department of the Ministry of Science and Technology. International voice traffic saw an even steeper decline, falling by 40%. Data from VNPT and Viettel, two of Vietnam’s largest mobile network operators, revealed an average voice traffic decrease of 25% to 36% during Tet 2026 compared to normal days. Viettel experienced a particularly significant drop, with a decrease of up to 62% compared to the same period in 2025.
Las aplicaciones OTT están reemplazando gradualmente las llamadas de voz tradicionales. (Imagen: Markettimes)
The Rise of Data Traffic and 5G
Even as voice traffic plummets, data consumption is surging. VNPT reported an 18.24% increase in data traffic during the Lunar New Year compared to the previous year. This growth is fueled by demand for video streaming, social media, and live broadcasting, particularly among younger generations. The increasing availability and adoption of 5G networks are also playing a crucial role. Viettel reported a 40% increase in total 4G and 5G data traffic compared to the same period last year, with a 10% increase compared to normal days. Peak 5G network traffic quintupled compared to the 2025 Lunar New Year, and 5G networks now account for 60% of total data traffic – a fourfold increase year-over-year.
A Shift in Communication Habits
The decline in traditional voice calls isn’t a sudden phenomenon. A report from the former Ministry of Information and Communications indicated that domestic voice traffic decreased by 17.2% during the 2025 Lunar New Year compared to 2024. This ongoing trend underscores a fundamental shift in communication preferences, with Vietnamese users increasingly favoring the versatility and cost-effectiveness of OTT applications. The convenience of features like group chats, video calls, and easy file sharing are proving to be powerful drivers of this change.
The increasing popularity of international voice calls via these apps is also notable. While traditional international voice traffic decreased by 40%, international voice calls *through* OTT platforms increased by 67.82% before the holiday and 31.06% compared to the same period last year, suggesting users are actively seeking alternatives to traditional international calling rates.
Improved Network Performance
Despite the decline in voice revenue, Vietnamese telecommunications companies are investing heavily in improving network infrastructure to support the growing demand for data. The average download speed per user improved by 1.5 times compared to the 2025 Lunar New Year, and 70% of customers are now using high-quality voice services (HD calls) on 4G/5G networks – double the percentage from the previous year. This investment is aimed at ensuring a seamless user experience as more and more Vietnamese citizens embrace data-intensive applications and services.
Looking Ahead
The trend away from traditional voice calls is expected to continue in Vietnam. The Ministry of Science and Technology is likely to monitor these shifts closely, potentially influencing future telecommunications policies and investments. VNPT and Viettel will likely continue to focus on expanding 5G coverage and improving data network capacity to meet the growing demand. The next key data release will be the Q1 2026 telecommunications report, expected in April, which will provide a more comprehensive picture of the ongoing transformation in Vietnam’s communication landscape.
What do you think about the shift away from traditional phone calls? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
