Railway - " strategic breakthrough" for socio-economic development
Decision No. 1769/QD-TTg of the Prime Minister approving the Railway Network Planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, clearly states the viewpoint: Railway is a special industry that plays an important role in the transport infrastructure system, identified as one of three strategic breakthroughs that need to be prioritized for investment in socio-economic development associated with ensuring national defense, security, adaptation to climate change and sustainable development.
Planning the national railway network, the Government aims to modernize existing railway lines by 2030, build new important lines such as the North-South high-speed railway, routes connecting seaports, industrial parks and international border gates. By 2050, Vietnam will complete a modern and synchronous national railway network to meet the increasing demand for passenger and freight transport.
In addition to national railway lines, Vietnam is also focusing on investing in developing urban railway systems in major cities such as Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
Prioritizing domestic enterprises
Two of the many resolutions passed by the National Assembly Resolution No. 172/2024/QH15 on the investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway project ( promulgated on November 30, 2024) and Resolution No. 188/2025/QH15 on specific mechanisms for the development of urban railway networks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City ( promulgated on February 19, 2025) The Government has clearly demonstrated the orientation of maximum priority for domestic enterprises.
Accordingly, Vietnamese enterprises are given priority to implement railway projects in all fields, from consulting, construction and installation, to material production, and supply of railway industrial goods. This policy not only opens up great opportunities for the domestic railway industry but also shows a long-term vision in building an independent railway industry, moving towards reducing dependence on imported technology and equipment.
In 2024, for the first time a business in the mechanical transportation industry was awarded the title of "Vietnam National Brand" by the Government - that is Vinh Hung Trading, Consulting and Construction Joint Stock Company. The program is chaired by the Prime Minister and assigned by the Ministry of Industry and Trade, with a strict selection process from more than 1,000 applications based on three core criteria: Product quality, Innovation - Creativity and Pioneering capacity.
To participate more deeply in the railway supply chain, proactively establishing strategic cooperative relationships with units with experience and position in the international market is becoming an important direction. Recently, at the Asia Pacific Rail 2025 Railway Conference and Exhibition - one of the biggest annual events of the railway industry in Asia, held in Bangkok (Thailand), products bearing the "Vietnam National Brand" such as bridge bearings, expansion joints, especially noise-resistant wall technology solutions were displayed, attracting great attention from international contractors, design consultants, and leading technology and product supply corporations in the world.
On the sidelines of the exhibition, many bilateral meetings were held between Vietnamese enterprises and potential partners, focusing on topics such as technology transfer, production cooperation... opening up practical cooperation opportunities in the future.
The railway industry is entering the most vibrant development stage in decades. Vietnam is facing a historic opportunity to upgrade the transportation system and build an autonomous railway industry. The challenge is real, but the opportunity has never been so great. Enterprises like Vinh Hung show that: if they prepare methodically, go in the right direction and invest substantially, Vietnamese enterprises can completely proactively create the future of the Vietnamese transportation industry.
