Vietnam to start work on high-speed rail within next 3 years

Work on a 1,500-kilometer high-speed rail link between the northern and southern regions will start in 2026 or 2027, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van Thang has said.

Vietnam hopes to partner with China in building the railroad and rolling stock and setting up its signaling system, he told Lou Qiliang, chairman of China Railway Signal & Communication Corporation (CRSC) at a meeting Tuesday in China’s Dalian City.

The three determine the safety of a rail project, and China has advanced technologies for developing them and at reasonable prices, he said.

CRSC is a state-owned company and the world’s biggest supplier of rail control systems.

It accounts for 45% of China’s subway market.

Railroad infrastructure, especially for the north-south high-speed route, is among the government’s priorities for enhancing the country’s competitiveness.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said at the meeting that China has strengths in developing high-speed and urban rail networks.

He sought China’s support in design, construction and technology transfer, including for three cross-border rail projects spanning 700 kilometers between the two countries.

Work on the first is set to begin next year, connecting China with the northern province of Lao Cai, Hanoi and the port city of Hai Phong.

Lou told the PM that his company is seeking opportunities to partner with Vietnam, and can provide assistance in researching and developing rail signaling systems.

Human resource training also plays an important role in rail projects, he added.