Accelerate Vietnam’s High-Speed Rail with Tech and Talent

The implementation of Vietnam’s North-South high-speed railway (HSR) project hinges on advanced technology and a proficient workforce. This extensive national endeavor spans diverse sectors, including construction, metallurgy, precision engineering, digital technologies, and control systems.

This HSR project is a strategic national focus that comes with several technical and logistical challenges. This discussion centers on the technical obstacles that need addressing.

At present, Vietnam is in the process of exploring technology options and lacks experience in HSR construction. Countries with successful high-speed rail systems have invested considerable time to acquire and familiarize themselves with essential technologies.

Technology serves as a crucial pillar for the project’s success, linking various domains such as civil engineering, metallurgy, mechanical and digital sectors, control systems, and the components of trains and railcars.

Achieving technological autonomy is crucial to strengthen the skills of local experts and engineers. It enables them to manage, maintain, repair, and enhance systems independently. This path towards self-sufficiency is essential for ensuring that the project authentically represents the Vietnamese populace.

It’s important to acknowledge that not all global HSR initiatives have thrived. For instance, the South Korean line from Seoul to Incheon International Airport was discontinued after just four years, and Taiwan’s route connecting Taipei and Kaohsiung faced considerable financial setbacks.

Intense competition from alternative modes of transport, such as roadways and air travel, has significantly contributed to these setbacks.

For an HSR project to fulfill its potential, a well-integrated infrastructure network must be established. This should link to urban railways and other public transportation systems to ensure convenience, accessibility, and competitive fare structures. Proper planning of urban areas along the route is vital for achieving operational efficiency.

In Vietnam, the urban rail systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have provided new transportation choices, generating public interest. They also offer valuable insights into project management, stressing the importance of avoiding budget overruns, debt traps, and delays in execution.

To effectively implement the North-South HSR project and achieve sustainable long-term benefits, this article proposes several pivotal recommendations.

Firstly, a comprehensive master plan for Vietnam’s HSR network is necessary. This network should bridge provinces and cities while integrating with urban railways and national transport corridors to create a unified national system.

Furthermore, Vietnam’s HSR should maintain international connectivity. Allowing Vietnamese trains to operate on overseas tracks—and vice versa—reflects the global integration objectives emphasized in Resolution No. 59-NQ/TW.

Linking Vietnam’s rail framework with China’s is another significant consideration within the “Two Corridors, One Belt” framework and China’s “Belt and Road Initiative.”

As China’s rail lines to Europe commence operations, it’s anticipated that Vietnam’s trade with nations including China, Russia, Central Asia, the Middle East, and the EU will escalate. This will facilitate swifter access for Vietnamese exports to global markets, broaden destination options, diminish reliance on major markets, and expand Vietnam’s overall trade volume. Conversely, imports would also be easier and more varied.

Secondly, a thorough regulatory structure for HSR must be established.

Although Vietnam has initiated several standards regarding HSR infrastructure, such as TCVN 13342:2021 for high-speed rail design, many areas still require development. HSR systems involve diverse fields including mechanics, electronics, signaling, and train control.

Crafting a set of standards and technical guidelines is essential to balance immediate and long-term needs, aligning economic ambitions with national security. These frameworks will help direct technology selection and partnership strategies.

Moreover, these guidelines will embody Vietnam’s quest for self-reliance and technological sophistication, aligning with the aims of Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW.

Thirdly, it’s crucial to build a network of high-speed rail experts.

Vietnam recently established the VietNuc nuclear energy expert network, uniting overseas Vietnamese professionals in that discipline.

A similar framework can be adopted for HSR. While Vietnam currently lacks HSR infrastructure, many Vietnamese professionals trained abroad are engaged in this domain. Their collaboration with local experts can significantly contribute to project execution.

This expert network, endorsed by the Ministry of Science and Technology or the Ministry of Construction, can offer scientific, unbiased, and constructive insights for HSR strategies and initiatives. This is particularly vital in the context of rapid digital and green transitions and efforts to lower carbon emissions in line with global standards.

The network can also function as a knowledge-sharing hub and facilitate international partnerships. It can link with global specialists, firms, and technology providers to enhance knowledge transfer and capacity building throughout all phases of construction, operation, and maintenance.

Fourthly, the involvement of private companies and enterprises needs to be amplified.

Domestic private sector participation is crucial for the success of this project, particularly in infrastructure investment, technology provision, and commercial management. Several Vietnamese corporations have already expressed willingness to engage.

Their readiness to take on national responsibilities aligns with Resolution No. 68-NQ/TW, fostering innovation, digital-and-green transformation, and sustainable growth.

Vietnam has limited experience in completely relying on private enterprises for national mega-projects. For instance, France’s SNCF and China’s CR are state-owned rail companies but have been restructured for competitive conditions. Japan’s high-speed rail is operated privately by JR Group under strict legal and public accountability standards.

Considering this context, Vietnam must carefully regulate the involvement of private enterprises. Robust legal frameworks, accountability measures, and oversight management are crucial. The state’s role in coordination and supervision should remain paramount.

International collaboration capabilities should also be factored into the evaluation to guarantee quality and timely implementation without cost overruns, guided by the principle of “act only if assured of success.”

Lastly, Resolution No. 66-NQ/TW lays the foundational legal framework for innovative initiatives supporting national development. It promotes the establishment of a “five-player” ecosystem: academia, research bodies, investors, businesses, and the government.

This ecosystem is vital for fostering scientific progress, mastering advanced technologies, and driving strategic national projects like the North-South HSR.

In Europe, France set the standard for HSR with the TGV in the 1980s, achieving speeds of 350 km/h and significantly cutting travel times. Today, the European rail network is extensive and efficient, referred to as “Europe’s living circuit board,” offering unparalleled connectivity and public preference.

Asia also hosts numerous countries with successful HSR systems that continue to increase their top speeds, such as Japan’s Shinkansen.

China’s “HSR dream” became a reality through decisive policies and its 1997 “Great Leap” initiative, resulting in the world’s most expansive HSR network, featuring homegrown technology and reaching into Southeast Asia.

ASEAN countries are also advancing into the HSR era. In 2023, Indonesia inaugurated its inaugural HSR line, supported by China’s Belt and Road Initiative. Thailand is actively constructing its own network. Meanwhile, Laos has launched a new rail service, albeit with speeds below 200 km/h, which has still significantly enhanced national transport.

These advancements demonstrate that high-speed rail remains a fundamental component of modern transportation for both passengers and goods globally.

(currently at Gustave Eiffel University, France)