Within the framework of the 1st International Exhibition & Summit on Modern Railway Technology and Infrastructure Construction Supply Chain in Vietnam (VRT&CON’2025), a series of high-level forums and roundtables took place. Representatives from the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Vietnam (AHK), the Korea National Railway, and various enterprises from China, Germany, and beyond expressed their readiness to share expertise and collaborate with Vietnam in developing its railway sector, encompassing technology, finance, human resource training, operations, and maintenance.

Significant Potential for Railway Development

At VRT&CON’2025, Mr. Tran Thien Canh, Director of the Vietnam Railway Authority (VNRA), provided insights into Vietnam’s national railway network planning, the vision toward 2050, and the implementation roadmap. Notably, the high-speed railway on the North-South axis, approved by the National Assembly, will span 15 provinces and cities, serving both passenger and freight transport. With a total investment exceeding USD 67 billion, the project is undergoing feasibility studies, with the goal of fundamentally completing the entire route by 2035.

The National Assembly has approved 19 specific and exceptional mechanisms and policies, focusing on accelerating progress, mobilizing resources, and training human resources for the project. Regarding urban railways, the master plan envisions 10 lines totaling over 500 km in Hanoi, and 8 lines totaling over 500 km in Ho Chi Minh City (following adjustments). These national and provincial railway plans have unlocked immense potential for investment and development.

Furthermore, the National Assembly has passed the Law on Railways (2025), institutionalizing exceptional policies for investing in national key railway projects and urban railways in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Key provisions include empowering local authorities to adjust land-use planning, selecting investors for land development, shortening project implementation timelines, and policies regarding technology transfer and human resource training.

VRT & CON 2.jpg High-level roundtable: "Strategic solutions for developing Vietnam’s railway industry"

Creating a Market for Domestic Investment and Localization

Regarding technology transfer and mastering railway technology, Mr. Vo Ta Luong, CEO of Vinh Hung JSC, emphasized that opportunities for private investment in the railway industry are expanding for Vietnamese enterprises. This is particularly relevant given the new incentives integrated into the Law on Railways, National Assembly resolutions, and the Politburo’s Resolution 68 on private sector development.

However, Mr. Luong noted that railway industrial investment carries significant risks due to high capital requirements. A limited market size remains a barrier to large-scale investment. Therefore, he advocated for the synchronization of technical standards to cultivate a viable market, thereby encouraging enterprises to commit to long-term localization and large-scale production. He further urged the Government to promptly enact specific and comprehensive incentive policies, pledging close collaboration with the private sector to build a robust railway industry in Vietnam.

Promoting Railway Industrial Development

Under the theme "The Future of Vietnam’s Railway in the Global Supply Chain," the high-level roundtable "Strategic Solutions for Developing Vietnam’s Railway Industry" between the Vietnam Railway Authority (VNRA) and CEOs of multinational corporations provided a broad perspective on international cooperation. Representing DB Engineering & Consulting (Germany), a speaker highlighted the role of the "Shadow Operator"—a strategy assisting project owners in operations, infrastructure, rolling stock, and maintenance planning. This approach ensures operational accuracy from the earliest stages, significantly reducing life-cycle costs.

Furthermore, representatives from AHK Vietnam, Korea National Railway, and leading enterprises from China and Germany expressed their readiness to share expertise and collaborate with Vietnam across technology, finance, human resource training, operations, and maintenance.

Mr. Nguyen Tien Thinh, Deputy Director of the Vietnam Railway Authority, emphasized that Vietnam aspires not only to build a modern railway system but also to develop a strong domestic railway industry. He noted that insights and recommendations from domestic and international corporations regarding policy mechanisms, investment models, and industry development are invaluable to Vietnam’s policy-making and investment processes.

In particular, feedback from partners regarding policy bottlenecks—such as capital allocation, risk management, and land clearance—coupled with firm commitments to technology and production transfer within Vietnam, will serve as vital information channels for the Government’s strategic planning.

VRT & CON 3.jpg Strengthening partnerships: series of MOUs signed at VRT&CON’2025

The First International Exhibition & Summit on Modern Railway Technology and Infrastructure Construction Supply Chain in Vietnam

The VRT&CON 2025 Exhibition, themed "The Future of Vietnam's Railway in the Global Supply Chain," officially opened today, November 12, at the Vietnam Exhibition Center (VEC) in Dong Anh, Hanoi. The four-day exhibition, running from November 12 to 15, 2025, centers on the vision of integrating Vietnam's railway industry into the global supply chain.
This marks the first-ever international exhibition and conference dedicated to the railway and infrastructure sector held in Vietnam. According to the Organizing Committee, VRT&CON 2025 is positioned as a strategic platform for dialogue and long-term investment connectivity for Vietnam's railway industrial ecosystem.
The exhibition is directed and coordinated by the Vietnam Railway Authority (VNRA) - Ministry of Construction, the Department of Security Industry - Ministry of Public Security, and the Railway Project Management Board - Ministry of Construction. The exhibition also enjoys the active participation and support of various ministries, local authorities, international organizations, and the domestic and global business community.
VRT&CON 2025 brings together nearly 90 domestic and international enterprises and organizations from Germany, China, South Korea, Japan, Austria, Thailand, Malaysia, Switzerland, the United Kingdom, and other regions, alongside key Vietnamese stakeholders such as the Vietnam Railway Authority, Hanoi Metro, Hoa Phat Group, Vinh Hung, Mico, and TRV, among others in construction and support industries.
A wide range of technologies and products are showcased, including: Tunneling technology (TBM) and underground construction equipment; railway infrastructure solutions (rail structures, anti-vibration, and noise reduction systems); signaling, communication, safety, and FRMCS monitoring and control systems; and MRO solutions, maintenance and repair equipment, depot machinery, rail welding equipment, railway inspection tools, and train weighing and load monitoring systems.
Additionally, the exhibition highlights the industrial and infrastructure supply chain, featuring construction machinery, building materials, electrical and automation equipment, supporting industries, industrial parks, and logistics. Alongside the main exhibition area, the Organizing Committee has established the "Investment & Partnership Hub," which operates throughout the four-day exhibiton, providing a dedicated space for B2B networking among enterprises, financial institutions, investment funds, industrial parks, and solution providers.