Vietnamese authorities have sent ripples through the telecoms industry by exposing an unwillingness to give any more carrier licences to set up networks in Vietnam.

Well-known international trademarks are automatically recognized in Vietnam and legally protected as registered brand names even if the owners have yet to apply for protection, a senior official has said.

Just five years ago there were fewer than two million mobile phone subscribers in Vietnam. Now, according to government figures, that number is more than 18 million. That growth has come even though a typical office salary is still less than 300 dollars per month, and one hour of mobile phone time can cost nearly nine dollars.