On March 25, Minister Tran Hong Minh held a bilateral meeting with Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Yi to promote cooperation between the two sides in the field of transportation. Also attending was Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh.
At the meeting, the two sides reviewed and assessed that cooperation in the field of transportation between the two countries in recent times has had clear developments. In particular, in the road sector, the two sides have held online and in-person meetings to discuss and resolve difficulties and problems in Vietnam - China international road transport activities such as: visas for drivers and bus service staff, on two-way goods transportation between the two countries, on customs supervision agents for goods transportation deep into the interior of the two countries... Proposing contents to promote facilitation for international road transportation through the three countries of China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.
The two sides are preparing to complete procedures to be able to sign 3 documents: Agreement, Protocol on the construction of Thanh Thuy border gate road traffic project (in Ha Giang province, Vietnam) - Thien Bao (in Yunnan province, China); Memorandum of Understanding on road cooperation between the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam and the Ministry of Transport of China in April 2025.
The two Ministers expressed their delight at the new steps in implementing these cooperation, especially the groundbreaking of the bridge project across the Red River on the border of Bat Xat (in Lao Cai province, Vietnam) - Ba Sai (in Yunnan province, China) at the end of March 2025.
Regarding the railway sector, Minister Tran Hong Minh emphasized the very high political determination of the Party and Government of Vietnam in realizing the common perception of the two Parties and two States in cooperation and rail connection between the two countries.
From the end of 2023 to December 2024, the Ministry of Transport of Vietnam (now the Ministry of Construction) together with the National Development and Reform Commission of China and the General Administration for International Development Cooperation of China (CIDCA) signed 6 documents to promote the construction of these connecting railways.
It is expected that there will be 3 more documents signed: Memorandum of Understanding between the National Development and Reform Committee of China and the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam on the establishment of the China-Vietnam Railway Cooperation Committee; Memorandum of Understanding on the establishment of the Planning of the Dong Dang - Hanoi, Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong standard gauge railway; Minutes of talks on field surveys, feasibility assessment of the Technical assistance project to prepare a feasibility study report for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway.
"The leaders of the Party and Government of Vietnam are very interested in and closely direct the progress of railway projects connecting China in Vietnam and strive to be able to start the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong Railway Investment Project by the end of 2025. On February 19, 2025, the Vietnamese National Assembly approved the project investment policy and to speed up the implementation progress" - Minister Tran Hong Minh informed.
To promote the effective implementation of upcoming cooperation, especially the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong Railway Investment Project, Minister Tran Hong Minh suggested that Minister Luu Vy report to the Chinese Government and give opinions to competent authorities to soon carry out the necessary work.
Accordingly, the task of issuing the Feasibility Study Report (F/s) for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong Railway Investment Project was promptly approved and awarded the status of non-refundable aid. Introduce Chinese enterprises with sufficient capacity to cooperate with Vietnamese enterprises participating in the project.
Appoint the unit to preside over and negotiate the loan agreement of the China Government's loan framework agreement to soon sign a loan agreement for the project to be able to start construction at the end of 2025. At the same time, it is necessary to soon appoint a consultant to plan the two railway lines Dong Dang - Hanoi, Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong.
Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei highly appreciated the practical and effective cooperation between the two countries in recent times, especially in the field of transport. Regarding the proposals of the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction, Minister Luu Vy said that he would receive and report to the Government and work with relevant Chinese agencies to promote the Project.
At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed to actively discuss and strengthen close cooperation between the two Ministries in the coming time, in the spirit of comprehensive strategic cooperative partnership, promoting the building of the Vietnam - China Community of Shared Future.
