A tripartite memorandum of understanding (MoU) to this effect was signed by representatives from the Korea Railroad Corporation (KORAIL), Korean National Railway (KNR), and Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR), while another MoU was penned by representatives from the Korea Railway Association (KORASS) and the Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors (VACC).

These documents aim to lay the foundation for deeper and more active cooperation between relevant agencies and organizations in the railway development sector in the coming years.

Speaking at the Vietnam – RoK Railway Cooperation Forum 2025, Minister Park Sang-woo from the RoK Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport (MOLIT) expressed his delight at the growing Vietnam-RoK relationship, especially since 2022, when the two countries elevated their ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Cooperation between the two countries has expanded and deepened in various fields, including economy, technology, and infrastructure.

He emphasized that the two countries are now embarking on a new journey of railway cooperation, and that Vietnam’s North-South high-speed railway project will be a major turning point, helping the country emerge as ASEAN’s railway hub.

“The RoK is ready to accompany Vietnam in every stage of this high-speed rail project, from construction to operation. We will collaborate in technology transfer, training, and expertise sharing,” said Park.

He expressed hope that the forum would mark the beginning of a future partnership, where both countries work together for mutual prosperity.

Echoing the view, Vietnamese Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Danh Huy noted that Vietnam-RoK relations have developed strongly and substantively, achieving remarkable milestones.

According to the official, the two countries have become top partners in various fields, and in the transportation sector alone, the RoK is Vietnam’s second largest bilateral donor.

Since 1996, the Korean government has provided funding for Vietnam’s transport infrastructure development. To date, the two countries have successfully completed nine projects, with a total loan value exceeding US$1 billion, and are currently working on six additional projects worth nearly US$600 million.

Vietnam’s infrastructure modernization has been a priority since the Đổi Mới (Renovation) process started in 1986. Over time, the country has progressively gained expertise in developing road, aviation, maritime, and inland waterway infrastructure.

“Throughout this process, Vietnam has received valuable support from the Korean government, experts, and businesses,” Huy said.

In his view, Vietnam’s railway development has been modest due to several key challenges, including high investment costs, complex technical requirements, and the need for synchronized and integrated high-tech solutions.

So far, the country has focused primarily on upgrading and modernizing existing railways while constructing three new urban railway lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. Recently, it initiated the Khe Net Pass renovation project with financial support from the Republic of Korea.

According to the Deputy Minister, the government of Vietnam has designated 2025-2035 as a key decade for railway development, identifying the sector as a priority for expansion. He therefore expressed Vietnam’s desire to learn from the RoK experience, particularly in technology transfer, and in mastering railway development and operations

At the forum, a Vietnam Railway Corporation representative introduced the master plan for railway network development and provided updates on ongoing major railway projects in Vietnam. Representatives from the Korea Railroad Corporation and Korea Railroad Corporation shared their experience in constructing and operating high-speed rail systems.

The RoK has been developing high-speed rail projects for over 20 years, starting with the launch of the first KTX (Korea Train Express) line in 2004. KTX has not only served as a transportation system but also as a driving force for the country’s economic growth and technological innovation.

From importing technology from France, the RoK has, through research and development efforts, become the fourth country in the world to master high-speed rail technology, gaining international recognition in the industry.

Special mechanisms proposed for North-South high-speed railway project

VOV.VN - The Vietnam Association of Construction Contractors (VACC) has proposed several specific mechanisms and policies for effective implementation of the US$67.3 billion North-South high-speed railway project that was recently passed by the National Assembly.