As a strategic project backed by both governments and listed as a priority in bilateral cooperation, the Laos–Vietnam railway has a planned total length of around 562 km.

Vietnam and China have signed a technical cooperation agreement on planning two standard-gauge railways Hanoi – Dong Dang and Hai Phong – Ha Long – Mong Cai, marking progress in bilateral railway connectivity.

Vietnamese Ambassador to France Trinh Duc Hai held a working session on March 23 in Paris with Diego Diaz, President of SNCF International under the French National Railway Company (SNCF), to discuss cooperation opportunities in the railway sector.

The Ministry of Finance has proposed upgrading Vietnam Railways (VNR) Corporation into Vietnam National Railway Group to advance the domestic railway industry with the focus on implementing the North-South high-speed railway mega project.

Although Vietnam’s railway infrastructure is largely based on a 1,000mm single-track system built more than a century ago, it still operates 20 train pairs per day - equivalent to 40 individual services - during the Tet (Lunar New Year) peak season.

A series of planned investments in national and urban railway infrastructure over the next 15 years is expected to generate enormous demand for railway industrial products, estimated at $84.6 billion.

The railway sector will add more Thong Nhat (reunification) trains and regional services to meet the sharply rising travel demand of people and tourists during the 2026 Lunar New Year (Tet), Vietnam’s largest traditional festival.

The initial loss of the railway sector is estimated at 50 billion VND (1.9 million USD) during the historic flood in the South Central region.

The Vietnam Railways Corporation transported 15,334 packages of essential supplies to flood-hit communities across the south-central region from October 10 to November 24.

The Vietnam Railways Corporation has announced further service disruptions on several passenger and freight routes from November 25-27 due to severe flooding in the south-central region, particularly along the Dieu Tri-Nha Trang section.

Two foreign tourists stranded on a train in central Vietnam for two days made it to their flight home thanks to a railway attendant's selfless help.

The Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR) announced the suspension of several passenger trains on November 19 due to worsening flood conditions in the south-central region.

The Ministry of Construction has proposed a set of special mechanisms and policies for the North-South high-speed railway project, including loans with 0% interest for up to 30 years and several financial and tax incentives to attract investors.

Vietnam and Russia have agreed to develop a railway project linking the two countries via China and Mongolia to strengthen transport connectivity and expand regional economic cooperation.

On the morning of October 23, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired the fourth meeting of the Steering Committee for National Key Railway Projects. The meeting was connected online to 18 provinces and cities where railway projects are underway.

In August, nearly 2,700 passengers travelled on the Vietnam-China railway line, up 89% from the previous month.

Ho Chi Minh City is reviewing and proposing adjustments to its urban railway projects to better align with the city’s development needs following its recent administrative merger.

The first customer for Tet tickets arrived at Saigon Station at 2 am to book 10 tickets to ensure a safe journey home to celebrate Tet, which falls in mid-February next year.

Deo Ca Group is full steam ahead with a plan to connect the two central localities Da Nang and Hoi An through a new urban railway system, aiming to deliver faster, greener travel by 2030.