Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) / Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC) · Khanh Hoa Province (proposed candidate), south-central coast, Vietnam, Vietnam
Launch Pads
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Annual Launches
0
Max Payload (LEO)
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Established
2024
Vietnam is in long-horizon planning for a sovereign national orbital launch capability, with the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) and the Vietnam National Space Center (VNSC) leading studies. Coastal Khanh Hoa Province on the south-central coast is the most discussed candidate location, leveraging South China Sea downrange and a low-to-moderate latitude. This is a strategic-planning-stage entry with high uncertainty and no committed funding.
| Region | Asia |
| Country | 🇻🇳 Vietnam |
| Coordinates | 12.2500° N, 109.2000° E |
| Ownership | Government |
| Parent Entity | Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology (VAST) — under the Ministry of Science and Technology, Government of Vietnam |
| Regulatory Regime | Vietnam Law on Atomic Energy and pending space-activity legislation; no current orbital-launch licensing framework — would require new statute |
| Latitude Advantage | ~12.25°N (Khanh Hoa candidate) — comparable to Sriharikota; provides solid GTO performance with eastward South China Sea downrange |
| Azimuth Range | Theoretical 90°–135° east-southeast over South China Sea; subject to politically sensitive overflight negotiations with Philippines and Indonesia |
Active Users
Strategic Value
Strategic-planning entry only; Vietnam's National Space Strategy targets orbital capability by 2030 but no construction or capex commitments exist. Geopolitical sensitivity of South China Sea downrange adds significant execution uncertainty. Most likely near-term path remains foreign-provider launch contracts.
Recent Activity
VAST and VNSC continued capability studies through 2024–2025; Vietnam–India space cooperation MOUs signed 2024 may shape eventual hardware choices.
2028
VAST/VNSC site selection and feasibility-report decision target
2030
Aspirational sovereign orbital capability target per Vietnam National Space Strategy