Representatives from 15 major French companies has held talks with Vietnam's Ministry of Construction, expressing interest in exploring cooperation opportunities in the country's railway infrastructure sector. The discussions focused on the North-South high-speed railway project, as well as lines linking seaports, airports and urban rail networks in major cities.
According to the ministry, at the recent meeting Deputy Minister Nguyen Tuong Van briefed the French side on Vietnam's railway network development strategy for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.
An overview of the meeting (Photo: Ministry of Construction).
Investment priorities in the coming period include the North-South high-speed railway, alongside routes connecting international seaports, airports and metro systems in Hanoi City and Ho Chi Minh City. Under the plan, by 2050 Vietnam aims to complete the North-South high-speed line and develop links to industrial parks, economic zones, the Central Highlands and coastal routes to strengthen regional and international transport capacity.
Alongside infrastructure development, Vietnam has identified workforce training, technology transfer and the building of a domestic railway industry as key priorities. The goal is to gradually master the operation and maintenance technologies for electrified railways and high-speed rail.
Nguyen Tuong Van praised cooperation in recent years between Vietnam's Ministry of Construction, the French Development Agency (AFD) and France's national railway company SNCF, particularly in staff training and the sharing of high-speed rail operating experience. The two sides have carried out a number of short training courses, professional exchange programmes and seminars on railway technology.
According to ministry leaders, there remains substantial scope for cooperation between Vietnam and France in this field, particularly in training personnel for electrified railway systems, technology transfer, the development of technical standards and the growth of the railway industry.
He said the long-standing cooperative relationship between Vietnam and France provided an important foundation for expanding ties in the period ahead, and expressed hope that French companies would continue to support Vietnam in developing a modern, integrated, green and sustainable railway system.
Ambassador Olivier Brochet said France had consistently supported Vietnam in developing a modern, lower-emission transport system, including the North-South high-speed railway project and urban rail networks.
According to the ambassador, French companies want to work alongside Vietnam over the long term in building a modern rail transport ecosystem, while also learning more about the country's major infrastructure priorities, investment incentives, financial resources and the potential role of French businesses in railway projects in Vietnam.
Notably, several French groups including Alstom, Systra, SNCF and Thales also presented their capabilities in rolling stock, signalling, infrastructure and technical consultancy, drawing on experience from projects in many countries.
Beyond new projects, railway cooperation between the two countries is also expanding into heritage preservation. On May 7, a twinning agreement was signed in Hanoi between Dalat Railway Station and France's Deauville-Trouville Station.
