Vietnam targets technological autonomy for high-speed rail

Vietnam is prioritizing the mastery of core technologies to support its massive North-South high-speed railway project. The proposed railway will span approximately 1,541 km from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City, passing through 15 provinces and cities. The project includes 23 passenger stations and 5 freight stations, with a design speed of 350 km/h.

The preliminary total investment is estimated at over 1.7 quadrillion VND (approximately 67 billion USD), with a target completion date of 2035. Beyond infrastructure, the project aims to foster domestic technological capabilities in materials, tracks, electrical systems, signaling, and digital management.

During a meeting on May 15, Minister of Construction Trần Hồng Minh emphasized that scientific research must be breakthrough rather than merely innovative. He urged the industry to research foundational and core technologies to develop products comparable to those from developed nations like China, Japan, and Europe, aiming to create national scientific brands with wide practical applications.