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Vietnam's Ministry of Construction and the ✨French Development Agency (AFD) signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) on sector capacity building during French President Emmanuel Macron's visit last month. The agreement aims to support Vietnam's government-initiated for high-speed rail development between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as well as improvements to the existing railway . SNCF International, backed by AFD, will provide expertise and training in Vietnam, France, and Morocco through the Institut de Formation Ferroviaire (IFF) in Rabat, a joint subsidiary of the ONCF Group and SNCF Group. Investments in low-carbon rail transport are expected to help Vietnam meet its Zero emissions target by 2050 and achieve its technological and industrial goals./.

cre. local media.

Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) authorities have tasked the city's Metropolitan Railway Management Board (MAUR) with spearheading the development of its urban railway projects. This follows a resolution number 188, passed by the National Assembly, which pilots specific mechanisms for the expansion of the city's metro network. According to the outlined plans, HCMC aims to complete seven metro lines by the year 2035, spanning a total length of 355 Km. The preliminary total investment for this ambitious undertaking is estimated to be over one quadrillion, nineteen trillion, three hundred and seventy billion d**g – that's equivalent to roughly 40.2 billion US dollars. The list of the seven metro lines includes:
📌 Line 1 (Extension): Ben Thanh to An Ha.
📌 Line 2: Ben Thanh to Thu Thiem, and Tham Luong to Cu Chi.
📌 Line 3: Hiep Binh Phuoc to Binh Trieu, then to Nga Sau Cong Hoa, Tan Kien, and An Ha.
📌 Line 4: D**g Thanh to Tan Son Nhat Airport, then to Ben Thanh, Nguyen Huu Tho Street, and Hiep Phuoc.
📌 Line 5: Long Truong to Hanoi Highway, then to Sai Gon Bridge, Bay Hien, and Da Phuoc.
📌 Line 6: The Inner Ring Line.
📌 Line 7: Tan Kien to Nguyen Van Linh Parkway, then to Thu Thiem, Thao Dien, Thanh Da, the High-Tech Park, and Vinhomes Grand Park.
MAUR has also been instructed to develop a medium-term capital allocation plan for the periods spanning 2021 to 2025, 2026 to 2030, and 2031 to 2035. This will include annual capital distribution to ensure the projects remain on schedule. Simultaneously, the city authorities are demanding a definitive resolution to outstanding issues concerning Metro Line 1 – the Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien section. This particularly involves addressing contractual disputes and implementing the findings of the State Audit Office. Furthermore, there's an urgency to finalize procedures for ceasing investment in Metro Line 2 – the Ben Thanh to Tham Luong section – which was intended to use Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds. At the same time, efforts will be accelerated to conduct surveys, prepare Front-End Engineering Design (FEED), and feasibility studies for the new projects.

Cre. local media.

Vietnam's ambitious plan for a new national line, connecting Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Lao Cai, is set for a multi-site ceremony in December 2025. The project's initiation comes at the direct request of the prime minister, made during a meeting, happened last week in Hanoi of the directive committee for nationally important projects on 20 May 2025. Ceremonies are anticipated at four or five locations along the route. Stretching approximately 419km, this significant rail section carries an initial budget of around $8.3bn (£6.5bn). is scheduled to span five years, with a targeted completion date in 2030./.

cre. local media

Saigon - HCMC has set an ambitious goal of completing its 355 km metro network within the next 10 years. To achieve this, a special task force, comprising all key city leaders and under the direct monitoring and control of its current Party Secretary, Nguyen Van Nen, has been established, with Mr. Nen acting as the head of the task force./.

cre. local media

Vietnam Sets Goal to Boost Domestic Rolling Stock Production✨

✨In late March 2025, PM Phạm Minh Chính announced a national strategy for ít national railway industry sovereignty. He declared that Vietnam would like to achieve mastery in the domestic manufacturing of locomotives, passenger coaches, EMUs, and train components between 2030 and 2045, urging a nationwide effort to reach this target.
✨The national operator, VNR, estimates the country's future needs at 261 locomotives, 1,000 passenger coaches, 7,000 freight cars, and 1,500 urban rail cars. Currently, major manufacturers like Alstom, China's corp, and Hitachi Rail are supplying metro trains & maintenance parts to Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City./.

cre. international media.

Vietnam🇻🇳 is now absolutely united, ready for more technological innovation✨ and worldwide integration.

Vietnam's Cities Announce ✨Metro Expansion at An International Conference

Last week, an international conference in Ho Chi Minh City highlighted plans from both Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi to expand their metro systems. City officials revealed that construction on key metro lines is set to begin in 2025, a move designed to alleviate the growing problem of traffic congestion. Hanoi outlined particularly ambitious plans for a 15-line network, totaling approximately 600 kilometers, with phased development continuing until 2045. The initial phase, from 2026 to 2030, will focus on delivering 116 kilometers across seven lines. Hanoi representatives also announced that work on Metro Lines 5 and 2 will commence this year. Whereas, Ho Chi Minh City is prioritizing its metro expansion, with Metro Line 2 identified as crucial for easing traffic and improving residents' quality of life.

cre. local media

Saigon Transportation - Toward Seamless Connectivity

📌 On April 11, Ho Chi Minh City launched the MultiPass card, enabling seamless payment integration between buses and metro systems. Inspired by global transit-smart cards like Korea's T-Money, Hong Kong's Octopus, New York's MetroCard, London's Oyster, and Singapore's EZ-Link, MultiPass simplifies travel for frequent commuters, such as students and daily workers. It eliminates the need for cash or multiple cards, supporting payment across various transport modes, including river buses and bike-sharing systems.
📌 The initiative aligns with international trends in smart ticketing, promoting non-cash payment methods through "Open loop" technology, which supports credit cards, e-wallets, and EMV prepaid cards. Ho Chi Minh City, known for pioneering smart ticketing, aims to modernize infrastructure and digitize travel data, improving transport planning. With over 2,200 buses and the upcoming metro system, the city seeks to enhance public transport convenience and encourage the adoption of smart cards, addressing the challenges of cash dependency and urban mobility.

Cre. local media

The North-South High-Speed ✨Railway (NSR) May Start Its Construction Phase in 2026.

✨ Prime Minister has directed an acceleration of the North-South high-speed railway project (1,541 km long, from Ngoc Hoi - Hanoi to Thu Thiem - Ho Chi Minh City, with an estimated capital of 1.7 trillion VND), aiming for a groundbreaking by the end of 2026. The Ministry of Construction has been asked to quickly submit a mechanism for direct contractor appointment and policies to speed up progress.
✨Regarding the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line (estimated capital of 203 trillion VND, connecting northern provinces), the Ministry of Finance will submit a proposal for the approval of the State Appraisal Council, to commence some components in 2025. Negotiations for preferential loans from China for this line are also being expedited.
✨The Prime Minister has also instructed preparations for the Hanoi - Lang Son and Hai Phong - Mong Cai lines, while requesting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to review capital plans for urban railways, including considering adjustments to the funding sources for the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong metro line (Ho Chi Minh City) and approving Line 3, section Hanoi - Yen So.

Cre. local media

/Innovative Policy for Metro - Resolution 188/2025-QH15/

🔥 approved & effective on ✨19 Feb 2025, the Resolution introduces special mechanisms to accelerate urban railway investment in Hanoi & Ho Chi Minh City (HCMC) by streamlining administrative procedures/enhancing financial flexibility. It grants the local governments the authority to approve investment policies, eliminating the need for approval from the central government or the NA🇻🇳. It also simplifies the feasibility study process by allowing local authorities to conduct, review, and approve studies without requiring assessments from the Ministry of Construction (MoC) or the Ministry of Finance (M*F).
🔥 To improve financial flexibility, the cities can mobilize funds from local budgets, official development assistance (ODA), and public-private partnerships (PPP) without seeking government approval for individual loans. The resolution also streamlines land clearance and procurement by permitting land acquisition to proceed concurrently with project approval and allowing direct contractor selection for key components. In terms of prj. ex*****on, Hanoi and HCMC oversee construction and final acceptance, while the MoC remains responsible for evaluating safety before operational approval.
🔥 By reducing bureaucratic delays, optimizing funding mechanisms, and enhancing ex*****on efficiency, the Resolution is expected to accelerate the development of urban railway infrastructure, providing a more efficient and sustainable public transport system./.

(c) local media.

Vietnam's Determination to Acquire Railway Technology 💪

🎙️ Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính reiterated the pledge at the first meeting of the 🇻🇳National Steering Council for important projects on Monday, March 29, 2025. In a short period, the National Assembly of ✨Vietnam demonstrated a strong determination to develop the national system by issuing three important resolutions. Firstly, Resolution No. 172/2024/QH15 was passed, laying the foundation for the North-South high-speed railway project, a strategic with a total route length of approximately 1,541 km. Next, Resolution No. 187/2025/QH15 was issued, approving the policy for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project aimed at enhancing connectivity among key regions. Finally, Resolution No. 188/2025/QH15 was passed, piloting several special and specific mechanisms and policies to promote the development of the urban railway system in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. These projects, especially the high-speed railway project, require significant investment capital and high technical expertise, marking a crucial step forward in Vietnam's railway . To ensure coordination and efficiency in the implementation process, the Prime Minister issued Decision No. 609/QĐ-TTg establishing the Steering Committee for key national railway projects and Decision No. 24/QĐ-BCĐĐSQG promulgating the organization and operation regulations of the Steering Committee./.

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/Hanoi - Hai Phong - Lao Cai Railway Line/

Hai Phong has committed to contributing 💰11,000 billion VND, representing approximately 6% of the total project (200 trillion VND, equivalent to 11.6 billion USD, based on the Vietcombank 💱 rate as of December 2024).
As previously informed, funding will be primarily sourced through a concessional loan of 135.6 trillion VND from the Export-Import Bank of China, with the Vietnamese government contributing 75.43 trillion VND. The project unit rate is reported to be as high as approximately 15 million USD per kilometer, excluding land acquisition and utility diversion costs. The 388km line, traversing nine provinces and cities, will connect Lào Cai in the north with the key port of Hai Phong, significantly boosting trade with China.
Designed for speeds of up to 160 km/h, the project will feature 30 stations and utilize international standard gauge (1435mm). The first phase will commence of a single-track line by 2030, with a full double-track line and branch lines to be completed after 2050.

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