Guidance on Testing for 5G Non-Standalone Mobile Communication Network Terminals in Vietnam Under QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT

5G non-standalone mobile communication network terminal equipment in Vietnam is equipment that connects simultaneously to the existing 4G LTE network and the new 5G band, allowing for data capacity expansion while maintaining control capability via 4G. To ensure these devices operate stably and do not cause interference, Testing for 5G Non-Standalone Mobile Communication Network Terminals in Vietnam according to QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT is a mandatory requirement before being placed on the market.

See more: Capacity Profile Of Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation

Table of contents

I. Overview of 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) Terminal Usage in Vietnam

In Vietnam, 5G non-standalone (NSA) equipment serves as an important intermediate step in the 5G deployment process. From commercial trials in 2020 until 5G frequency bands were officially licensed in 2024, the majority of 5G traffic in Vietnam has been processed through these devices. This allows network operators to provide fast coverage without needing to upgrade the entire core network infrastructure.

Currently, most 5G smartphones and first-generation 5G Wi-Fi routers still operate primarily in non-standalone mode to maintain continuous connectivity, especially in areas where 5G coverage is not yet synchronized. This provides users with a stable experience, even when moving between areas with different network qualities.

However, 5G non-standalone equipment still depends on 4G network coverage. If the 4G signal is weak, establishing the initial connection or making calls may be difficult. Simultaneously, because the equipment transmits on both LTE and 5G bands, Testing for 5G Non-Standalone Mobile Communication Network Terminals in Vietnam for power control and spurious emissions according to QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT is mandatory to avoid causing interference to other radio services. Compliance with this regulation ensures that non-standalone devices operate stably and are compatible with existing 4G/5G network infrastructure.

II. Guidance on Testing for 5G Non-Standalone Mobile Communication Network Terminals in Vietnam Under QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT

1. Scope of Application

According to Circular No. 29/2025/TT-BKHCN, 5G non-standalone mobile communication network terminal equipment must meet the technical requirements in QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT when belonging to one of the following HS codes:

Product Name	HS Code	Product Description
Fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication terminal equipment	8517.13.00 8517.14.00	Terrestrial mobile phones using fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology.
	8517.62.59	Terrestrial mobile communication terminal equipment other than mobile phones (transmission equipment combined with reception equipment), using fifth-generation (5G) mobile communication technology.

Consequently, 5G Non-Standalone (NSA) mobile network terminals are required to complete testing, certification, and conformity declaration processes under QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT. This mandate for Testing for 5G Non-Standalone Mobile Communication Network Terminals in Vietnam applies when the device operates on any or all of the frequency band combinations listed in the table below, while ensuring strict adherence to Vietnamese radio frequency management and usage laws.

Table 1 – Operating Bands

Note: Band combinations related to bands n77 and n78 must be ready and shall only be activated and used after these bands are planned in Vietnam.

2. Technical Requirements

QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT specifies the technical requirements for the radio access part of 5G non-standalone mobile communication terminal equipment operating on all or one of the above combined band sets and complying with the regulations on the management and use of radio frequencies in Vietnam. Specifically, 5G non-standalone (NSA) equipment must meet the following requirements:

Transmitter Requirements: Including specific requirements for output power (maximum – minimum), output spectrum emissions (occupied bandwidth, out-of-band emissions, transmitter spurious emissions);
Receiver Requirements: Including specific requirements for reference sensitivity, adjacent channel selectivity, blocking characteristics (in-band blocking, out-of-band blocking, narrow-band blocking), spurious response, intermodulation characteristics, and spurious emissions.

Note: Combined band sets related to band n77 (uplink band: 3,300 MHz – 4,200 MHz and downlink band: 3,300 MHz – 4,200 MHz) and n78 (uplink band: 3,300 MHz – 3,800 MHz and downlink band: 3,300 MHz – 3,800 MHz) must be ready and shall only be activated and used after these bands are planned in Vietnam.

3. Testing Costs and Time

The cost and time for Testing for 5G Non-Standalone Mobile Communication Network Terminals in Vietnam according to QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT are publicly listed by Phuc Gia®. You can view the testing quotation for electrical-electronic, telecommunications, and information technology equipment at the Testing – Certification Quotation or contact Phuc Gia® for detailed advice.

4. Where to Conduct Testing for 5G Non-Standalone Mobile Communication Network Terminals in Vietnam according to QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT?

4.1. Regulations on Qualified Testing and Certification Units

Based on Article 5 of Consolidated Document 02/2020/VBHN-BTTTT – Regulations on conformity certification and declaration of conformity for specialized information technology and communications products and goods, testing units serving certification and declaration of conformity are regulated as follows:

The testing unit serving conformity certification activities is a designated or recognized testing unit.

The testing unit serving conformity declaration activities is a designated or recognized testing unit, or a unit that has registered testing activities according to Decree No. 107/2016/NĐ-CP dated July 01, 2016, of the Government regulating business conditions for conformity assessment services.

Testing units must be responsible to the Competent Authority for the accuracy of testing results. Testing results do not have the value of replacing the Certificate of Conformity or the Declaration of Conformity.

4.2. Phuc Gia® – A prestigious testing organization for telecommunications and information technology equipment in Vietnam

Phuc Gia Laboratory Corporation (Phuc Gia®) is designated by the Ministry of Science and Technology to test telecommunications and information technology equipment according to 24 Vietnam Technical Regulations for many important equipment groups in the field of telecommunications and IT. This serves the quality management of products and goods that could potentially cause safety issues under the Ministry’s management responsibility, according to Decision No. 2899/QĐ-BKHCN and Decision No. 228/QĐ-BTTTT.

Accordingly, Phuc Gia® is designated to perform Testing for 5G Non-Standalone Mobile Communication Network Terminals in Vietnam according to QCVN 129:2021/BTTTT.

Phuc Gia® is also the first unit to be accredited by all 3 accreditation bodies (BoA, AOSC, VACI) as meeting the ISO/IEC 17025:2017 standard. The testing facility has a scale of up to 5,000 m², equipped with a synchronous system of modern measurement and inspection equipment, serving tests for electrical safety, EMC, energy efficiency, RF, SAR, and many other technical categories.

Along with that is a team of nearly 100 staff, engineers, and technical experts selected and intensively trained to meet the strict requirements of testing, certification, and conformity assessment activities across various technical fields.