Voice calls decline as mobile users shift to internet services

According to data from network operators VNPT and Viettel, average voice traffic during the Tet holiday fell by 25-36% from normal days. Year on year they respectively reported declines of 24% and 62%.

The Telecommunications Authority said traditional communication habits continue to change, with domestic voice traffic down 17% and international calls down 40%.

Users are increasingly switching from voice calls to internet-based services such as over-the-top messaging, video calls and interactions on social media platforms.

The downward trend has been evident in recent years. It had decreased by 17.2% during Tet 2025.

But it was not always so. In fact, in the early years of the mobile era the Tet period was the peak season for voice services, with networks often congested, especially on Lunar New Year’s Eve.

A person is on a phone call. Photo by VnExpress/Luu Quy

Data usage rose strongly this year. Viettel saw a 93% increase from last year, while VNPT and MobiFone reported a more modest 18.24% and 16.65%, driven by demand for video streaming, social networking, livestreaming, and sharing photos and videos during the holidays.

However, compared with regular days, data usage was down by 5-11% as people stayed at home and connected to the internet via Wi-Fi.

According to the Telecommunications Authority, the change in mobile service usage patterns is becoming increasingly clear. During Tet there was a notable change in user behavior, with internet-based services emerging as the dominant channels for communication and entertainment.