From November 12 to 15, 2025, at the Vietnam Exhibition Center, the "Exhibition & Conference on Modern Railway Technology and Infrastructure Supply Chains" - VRT & CONS 2025 took place on an international scale, attracting a large number of visitors and workers, nearly 200 domestic and international enterprises and organizations, with more than 120 booths displaying technology, products and comprehensive solutions for the railway and transport infrastructure industry.
This is an international exhibition and conference on railways - infrastructure held for the first time in Vietnam, positioned as a platform for strategic dialogue and long-term investment connection for the Vietnam railway industrial ecosystem.
Speaking at the event, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Danh Huy said that to realize this aspiration, the development of a synchronous, modern and sustainable transport infrastructure system is one of the three key strategic breakthroughs.
In that overall infrastructure picture, railways are identified as the "backbone" of the national transport system. Railway development, especially high-speed railways and urban railways, is an inevitable trend, a new growth driver, helping to restructure the economy, optimize logistics costs, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, promote regional linkages and international integration, and ensure national defense and security.
Recognizing that importance, the Politburo issued Conclusion No. 49-KL/TW on the orientation for the development of Vietnam's railway transportation, with the goal of focusing resources and introducing modern technology to create a turning point for the industry.
Specifically this orientation, the Government has issued Decision No. 1769/QD-TTg and Decision No. 2404/QD-TTg approving and adjusting the Railway Network Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.
It can be clearly seen that this is an opportunity to reshape the face of the Vietnam Railway industry. However, we also frankly acknowledge that this is a specific field, requiring huge investment capital, extremely complex technology, long implementation time and needing a particularly effective management and operation mechanism.
This is the reason why VRT & CONS 2025 is so important. More than a trade fair, this event must be a strategic forum for the railway industry.
The Vietnam Railway industry currently needs connection platforms like this event to aim for the following goals:
First, connect with technology. Vietnam is not looking for the most expensive technology, but for the most suitable technology - it must be an advanced technology, certified, safe, effective and capable of being transferred and mastered.
Second, connect about solutions. We do not only buy a ship or a route, but need comprehensive solutions for investment models, smart governance and operation, maintenance and repair.
Third, connecting in terms of investment. The demand is already huge and cannot only rely on the state budget. The Vietnamese Government is committed to creating all favorable conditions, building breakthrough and transparent mechanisms and policies to mobilize the maximum resources for private investment and foreign investment. We call on financial institutions, investment funds, and large corporations to study and propose feasible and effective financial models.
Fourth, connect to the supply chain. This is a key factor for sustainable development. We must build a railway industrial ecosystem in Vietnam; hopefully, international corporations and global EPC contractors when coming to Vietnam will "follow" Vietnamese enterprises, cooperate in technology transfer, and create conditions for domestic enterprises to participate deeply in the global supply chain.
