Vietnam Seeks International Partners For North-South High-Speed Rail

Germany, September 2026 — A delegation from Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction, led by Deputy Minister Bui Xuan Dung, attended InnoTrans 2026 to examine international experience relevant to the country’s planned North-South high-speed railway. The delegation met major railway companies and technology providers during the exhibition.

Discussions covered high-speed railway research, investment, construction and operations, as well as technology selection, system configuration, project management, cost and schedule control, safety standards and lifecycle asset management. The delegation also reviewed rolling stock, electrification, signalling, train control, control centres, depots and predictive maintenance technologies.

Infrastructure discussions included ballastless track, rail systems, automated inspection and maintenance, while companies shared experience in railway operations, scheduling, safety management, supporting industries and workforce development. Vietnam said cooperation with international partners should extend beyond equipment supply to include technology transfer, skills development and support for domestic companies entering the railway supply chain.

The engagement comes as Vietnam prepares the feasibility study and technology-selection process for the North-South high-speed railway. The government is also considering the long-term development of domestic capabilities in manufacturing, assembly, operation and maintenance, with workforce preparation identified as an important component of major railway projects.

During the exhibition, Deutsche Bahn and the Vietnamese-German University also signed an MoU focused on railway workforce training and development. InnoTrans 2026 brought together more than 3,100 exhibitors from 59 countries, providing Vietnam with access to developments across rolling stock, infrastructure, signalling, digitalisation, automation and railway maintenance.

Source: Vietnam Investment Review