The first north-south train decorated with symbols of the friendship between Vietnam and Japan will set off May 8 and run until September 23.
The train will run from Hanoi to HCM City as an SE1 and return as an SE2.
"The Vietnam-Japan Friendship train will help people understand the results of railway co-operation between Japan and Vietnam," said Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Tanizaki Yasuaki at a press conference yesterday.
Japan has committed loans of more than 45 billion yen (approximately US$456 million) to help Vietnam replace and upgrade 63 bridges along the railway line between Hanoi and HCM City from 1993 until 2017, according to the Japan International Co-operation Agency (JICA).
With Japan's support, the train journey between Hanoi and HCM City was shortened from 36 hours to 30 hours. By 2017, when all repairs are completed, the journey will take only 24 hours.
The Japanese Embassy in Vietnam also organised a photo contest around the theme of the friendship train.
Friendship train to start journey
The first north-south train decorated with symbols of the friendship between Vietnam and Japan will set off May 8 and run until September 23.
Source: VNS
