Growing foreign interest in Vietnam Railways

The meeting between JR East and VNR at the latter’s headquarters in late June

On July 5, a delegation of Italy’s WEGH worked with the deputy general director of Vietnam Railways (VNR) Hoang Gia Khanh on the possibilities of supplying signalling systems, accessories, and railway infrastructure for the local railway industry.

WEGH is operating factories in Italy and other countries worldwide. It has more than 530 clients in 40 countries.

Previously, a delegation of East Japan Railway Company (JR East) on June 22 had a working session with VNR about the cooperation possibilities in railway maintenance.

At the meeting, the deputy general director updated the guests about the existing situation of the railway infrastructure, its operation, and future development plans. He expressed his hope to receive more support from JR East in railway maintenance and others.

He added that VNR would like to learn more about the modern railway model in Japan, including disaster warning systems, technology, and new equipment for maintenance works.

In response, JR East introduced technical devices for railway maintenance that help save time and cost. As part of the visit, the Japanese firm made fact-finding trips to Long Bien Railway Bridge and the Hanoi-Haiphong railway route.

JR East is a major passenger railway company in Japan and the largest of the seven Japan Railways Group companies.

Also in June, Khanh also received a delegation of Austrian businesses at its headquarters who introduced new products and technology solutions aiming to seek opportunities in the local industry. In the same month, Japan’s IHI Group visited the headquarters of VNR to seek to join railway projects.

In late May, a business group led by Hirofumi Mori, chief representative of Nippon Koei in Vietnam, also worked with VNR on the modernisation of the railway industry, including electrification of existing railway lines.

These recent meetings reflected growing interest among foreign businesses in the local railway industry. At present, VNR is striving to restructure its operation and intensify international cooperation to increase its efficiency.