The Government has issued Decree 319 introducing special mechanisms for technology transfer in key railway projects, providing a solid legal basis for domestic enterprises to participate in the supply chain of the North-South high-speed railway.

Illustrative image.

With a total investment exceeding 67 billion USD, the rail line is not only an unprecedented infrastructure project in Vietnam, but also a test of the private sector’s capacity to engage in large-scale public works.

A central component of Decree 319 is the establishment of 10 specific criteria for selecting Vietnamese entities eligible for government-commissioned technology transfer orders.

Qualifying firms must meet strict requirements regarding legal status, financial health, technical infrastructure, and workforce, as well as demonstrate the ability to master and advance technologies post-transfer.

These criteria are designed to vet capabilities and cultivate a core group of industrial players, a move aimed at gradually reducing the nation's reliance on imported technology and equipment.

By subcontracting on major infrastructure and ODA-funded projects in recent years, domestic companies have mastered essential construction technologies, including elevated rail lines and river-crossing bridges, according to Dr. Nguyen Quoc Viet from the University of Economics and Business under the Vietnam National University, Hanoi.

Major conglomerates such as Hoa Phat, THACO, Fecon Corp, and Viettel are already engaged in sectors matching their competencies, ranging from steel structures and rolling stock manufacturing to power systems, signaling, and control operations for the rail megaproject.

Positioning itself for upcoming Government orders, steel maker Hoa Phat is scheduled to break ground on a specialised rail steel production facility in Dung Quat on December 19.

The project, valued at 10 trillion VND (384.6 million USD), will span nearly 15 ha and feature a design capacity of 700,000 tonnes per year.

Assoc. Prof. Dr. Nguyen Chi Sang, Chairman of the Vietnam Association of Mechanical Enterprises, said the decree allowing project owners to commission local enterprises offers a dual benefit.

The shift is expected to lower import dependence and cut project costs by 10-20% while generating hundreds of thousands of high-skilled jobs.

To fully capitalise on this opportunity, he urged enterprises to deepen technology investments and leverage the leadership of major corporations to anchor a robust domestic supply chain.

Bac Ninh diversifies railway transport to boost logistics and tourism links

BAC NINH – Railway transport along the Hanoi–Dong Dang line passing through Bac Ninh province is undergoing a strong transformation, with a growing number of domestic freight and international trains now in operation. Recently, the industry also launched the “Hanoi Five City Gates” cultural tourism train connecting Hanoi and Tu Son (Bac Ninh), further diversifying railway services and easing pressure on road transport while opening new paths for sustainable regional logistics.

Vietnam unveils new $5.4B high-speed railway linking Hanoi and Ha Long

Vietnam will build two high-speed railway lines, including a newly planned US$5.4 billion route from Hanoi to Quang Ninh, under its updated 2021–2030 national railway plan approved by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

Railway industry, ecosystem must be developed in modern, sustainable way: PM

The PM stressed the importance of promoting technology transfer and gradually mastering technology in the railway industry, helping develop the sector and its whole ecosystem, including both conventional and metro rail systems.

 

Railway tourism brings new momentum to Vietnam’s travel industry

The “Hanoi 5 Cua O” (Hanoi’s Five Gates) train, also known as The Hanoi Train, is drawing interest from visitors to the capital city, marking the first time a tourist train has been specially designed to showcase Hanoi’s culture through a railway journey.

 

Vietnam eyes 140,000-strong workforce to power high-speed rail network

Between 2025 and 2030, some 35,000 people are expected to undergo training, focusing on high-speed rail, electrified lines and urban metro systems. The plan includes 1,000 postgraduate students, 14,000 university graduates, 11,000 college-level trainees and 9,000 intermediate-level workers.