Some experts say Vietnam needs to say “thank you” to the 37 train carriages donated by Japan but reject the gift for the sake of the development of Vietnam’s railways.

The dream of state-owned railway giant Vietnam Railways to develop an Asia-Europe railway link could go nowhere unless a breakthrough change in state policy emerges to open the door for domestic and international private ventures.

As new local infections of Covid-19 are rising, Vietnam Railways Corporation has announced the suspension of SE11 and SE12 trains on the Hanoi-HCMC route from August 1.

The Ministry of Transport has ordered more flights to be opened while easing road transport restrictions from April 29.

Prime Minister Nguyen Xuan Phuc on Tuesday approved the Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR)’s plan to close illegal level crossings in crowded residential areas by the end of this year.

The Hanoi Railway Transport Joint Stock Company has reduced train ticket prices for the sleeper class by between 7 and 30 per cent.

Vietnam Railways has launched the Hanoi-Beijing railway line on January 1, 2020 in a move to facilitate people’s travel demand.

The path for domestic and international investors like Saigon Newport and Lotte to join railway projects in Vietnam remains arduous, urging authorised agencies to make more positive changes to unlock private investment. 

Vietnam Railways (VNR) plans to upgrade the country’s rail infrastructure by building 300 new and high-quality train carriages and purchasing more locomotives by 2023.

State-owned Vietnam Railways has begun to bet on a new venture with a Chinese giant in a bid to solve an impasse in financial performance. However, concerns remain over possible gains and losses from the new partnership model.