Developing Telecoms, citing a report from VN Express on Friday, reported that state-owned Viettel will spend VND 300 billion (A$17,658,000) to subsidise 4G features phones.

It reported that eligible users will receive an SMS instructing them to go to the nearest Viettel store or contact local employees for help in receiving the handsets.

Priority subscribers include those living in mountainous regions affected by Super Typhoon Yagi including Lao Cao, Yen Bai, Tuyen Quang, Hoa Binh, Bac Kan, Son La, Dien Bien, Lai Chau, Cao Bang, and Ha Giang provinces, the report said.

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Viettel's move comes as the Ministry of Information and Communications (MIC) last week delayed its planned 2G shutdown from 16 September to 15 October.

Shutting down 2G-only services will free 900-MHz and 1800-MHz bands for other services, including 4G and 5G, and potentially 6G in 2030.

The regulatory body delayed the shutdown to help the communities impacted by Yagi.

Vietnam News Agency reported last week that an estimated 1.8 million 2G-only subscribers have not yet switched to 3G or 4G services.

Viettel, according to Developing Telecoms, has the largest 2G subscriber base in Vietnam. It has reportedly managed to migrate eight million 2G subscribers to 4G devices this year.

VN Express reported that it has also installed over 6,000 new base stations across the country to expand 4G coverage to 96% of the population.