24 days of implementing the historic project
According to Mr. Tran Anh Tuan - Deputy General Director of Vietnam Railways Corporation (VND), the current North-South railway line was built by the French government in 1879. The project is divided into 5 phases and completed after 39 years with a total length of 1,730km.
On September 2, 1936, the two sections of the route at the North-South ends of Vietnam were connected at km1221, south of Hao Son Station.
The khong Duong Eugene Jean Louis Rene Robin and King Bao Dai were the ones holding the crystal flag, carrying out the act of tightening the rail connecting bolts, officially recognizing the completion of the trans-Vietnam railway line.
To mark this event, a monolithic stone stele was erected here. After many wars, this stele was destroyed by bullets and only the pieces were left intact.
In May 2025, Vietnam Railway Corporation launched a campaign among employees to contribute to the restoration of the original.
"We have 24 days to construct this especially meaningful project. The most difficult thing is to restore the stele to the original 90 years old with the same block of Binh Dinh granite, the height of both the stele base and the stele body is 2.66m, 1.41m wide.
At peak times, there are times when 50 railway officers and workers work day and night to complete the project early" - Mr. Pham Nguyen Chien - Director of Phu Khanh Railway Joint Stock Company, the unit in charge of the construction of the project said.
Vietnam Railway - "Diamond" mine has not been exploited to the fullest
After a period of construction, on July 28, Vietnam Railway Corporation held an inauguration ceremony for the stele restoration project marking the final rail connection of the trans-Indochinese railway at Km1221, Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City railway line.
Excitedly seeing the results of his and his colleagues, Mr. Ngo Thanh - a worker of the Deo Ca Railway Team shared: "The aspiration of many leaders and railway workers to restore this important historical site has come true".
Mr. Dang Sy Manh - Chairman of the Board of Members of Vietnam Railways Corporation affirmed that the project is of great significance in preserving the values of the former trans-Indochinese railway line.
Thereby, contributing to creating a cultural space to help local workers, people, and tourists have another place to visit and learn more about the history of the construction and development of the Vietnam Railway.
According to Mr. Manh, the Hanoi - Saigon railway is recognized as the most worth-visiting and beautiful railway line on the planet. In the first 6 months of the year, this route was ranked first among the 24 most beautiful routes on the planet.
This is a diamond mine that we have exploited that is not worthy. Innovation from thinking, railways are not their own but the community's, of everyone.
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With 303 stations on the railway network, the leaders of the Corporation expressed their ambition to build stations into destinations, cultural tourism and art centers...
On this occasion, Vietnam Railway Corporation presented the decision and posted a plaque to celebrate the 13th Party Congress of Vietnam Railway Corporation, term 2025-2030 for the project to restore the stele marking "The last rail connection of the railway line through Indochina" at Km1221 and the project of the information system of the newly opened Xuan Son Nam station, route km1162+545 of the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City railway line.
Vietnam Railway Corporation and Vietnam Railway Trade Union have also rewarded collectives and individuals with outstanding achievements.
