North-South high-speed railway project as an industrial and technological leap
Vietnam's major railway initiative targeting 2035 is designed as an integrated ecosystem supported by technology transfer, standardization, and comprehensive human resources training.
Implemented with an investment exceeding 1.7 trillion VND, the North-South high-speed railway project is regarded not merely as transportation infrastructure, but as a strategic development initiative bringing together technology, standards, data, and qualified human resources.
Scope and Scale of the Project
The North-South high-speed railway project is prepared on a massive scale with a route length of approximately 1,541 kilometers and a design speed of 350 km/h.
The project, with a preliminary investment amount exceeding 1.7 trillion VND, is planned to be largely completed by 2035.
Special Mechanisms and Implementation Process
With Resolution No. 98 issued by the Government in early April 2026, the project was divided into 17 independent projects, and 19 special policies were implemented to accelerate progress.
Phung Tuan Son, Deputy Director of the Thang Long Project Management Board, stated that thanks to this structure, the implementation time is expected to be shortened by 20 to 30 percent compared to the normal process.
Standards System Works
The list of standards to be applied in the project includes a total of 605 standards, a significant portion of which have been converted to TCVN or translated into Vietnamese.
The establishment and integration of standards is considered a vital task for the railway network to operate safely and in accordance with international norms.
Technology Localization and Enterprises
The Ministry of Construction has been given special tasks regarding the development of strategic railway technologies, placing enterprises at the center of the technology localization process.
While the state provides coordination, institutes and universities conduct research, and leading companies such as Viettel, Hoa Phat, and THACO undertake implementation and industrialization processes.
Human Resources and Training Activities
The total workforce requirement projected for the project by 2035 has been determined to be approximately 254,400 people, with a target of training at least 35,000 personnel in the 2025-2030 period.
Institutions such as Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport, University of Transport Technology, and VNR are actively participating in training activities by cooperating with academic institutions in China and South Korea.