Vietnam, November 2026 – France has outlined plans to strengthen bilateral cooperation with Viet Nam in railway infrastructure, following the adoption of a 2026–2028 action plan. French Ambassador to Viet Nam Didier Le Bret highlighted rail transport as a priority area, with France seeking to support the country's ambitions to develop one of the world's longest high-speed railway lines between Ha Noi and Ho Chi Minh City.
The proposed north–south high-speed railway is expected to connect approximately 20 cities along its route. France intends to contribute expertise across the railway development lifecycle, including infrastructure design, train manufacturing, operations, maintenance and management. French engineering consultancies Artelia and Systra have maintained a presence in Viet Nam for more than 20 years, providing an established foundation for further technical cooperation.
Industrial collaboration is also expanding. Ambassador Le Bret highlighted a recently signed agreement between French rolling stock manufacturer Alstom and Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup for the supply of 200 trainsets. Beyond the north–south corridor, France also expressed interest in supporting railway connections to major seaports, including Hai Phong and the deep-water port in Ho Chi Minh City, strengthening the integration of rail and maritime freight networks.
The ambassador pointed to France's experience in developing high-speed rail during the early 1980s, explaining how new railway connections contributed to regional economic development around cities such as Marseille, Bordeaux and Lille. He suggested that similar connectivity benefits could emerge in Viet Nam, particularly if the proposed high-speed line improves accessibility between major urban centres and intermediate regions.
The growing partnership reflects Viet Nam's efforts to mobilise international expertise and industrial capabilities for its railway expansion programme. Cooperation covering engineering, rolling stock, infrastructure management and maintenance could support domestic technical development while creating opportunities for European rail companies in one of Southeast Asia's major emerging railway markets.
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Source: Viet Nam News
France and Viet Nam Expand Cooperation on High-Speed Rail Development
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International partnerships are becoming increasingly important as Southeast Asian countries accelerate railway modernisation and develop large-scale transport infrastructure. France is seeking to deepen its cooperation with Viet Nam through technical expertise, engineering services and industrial partnerships, particularly for the country's planned high-speed railway and major port connections.
