A Vietnamese delegation led by Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Danh Huy attended the first meeting of Vietnam – China Joint Railway Cooperation Committee in Beijing on September 23–24.

An oveview of the first meeting of the Vietnam – China Joint Railway Cooperation Committee in Beijing.

The meeting aimed to implement the common perceptions reached by the two countries’ high-ranking leaders on strengthening cooperation and expediting cross-border railway projects.

It also sought to carry out the agreement signed on December 10, 2024, between the two governments on standard-gauge railway cooperation, as well as the memorandum of understanding signed on April 14, 2025, between Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction and China’s National Development and Reform Commission (NDRC) on the establishment of the joint committee.

Speaking at the session, Huy emphasised the importance of railway cooperation within the Vietnam–China community with a shared future that carries strategic significance.

He noted that with political and diplomatic ties at an unprecedented high, railway cooperation has been identified by both sides’ high-ranking leaders as a symbolic highlight of their practical and strategic partnership.

Under the close guidance of Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh and Chinese Premier Li Qiang, Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction and China’s NDRC have actively played a role in coordinating bilateral railway cooperation activities.

The Vietnamese official stressed that the establishment of the Joint Railway Cooperation Committee in April marked a milestone, reflecting the tireless efforts of the relevant agencies of both sides.

The two countries have received unprecedented policy support from their Governments and fostered close technical exchanges among ministries and sectors, thereby creating strong momentum for enterprise-to-enterprise cooperation.

To accelerate the implementation of cross-border railway projects, particularly the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong standard-gauge railway, the meeting focused on key issues such as the feasibility study report, technical design, and financial cooperation.

The two sides also agreed to prepare planning for two additional standard-gauge lines – Dong Dang–Hanoi and Mong Cai–Ha Long–Hai Phong – alongside cooperation in railway personnel training and railway industry development.

As part of the working trip, Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction and China’s Ministry of Commerce signed an agreement to implement a technical assistance project for the feasibility study for the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway.

Earlier, Huy also worked with the Vietnamese Embassy in Beijing to discuss coordination in promoting bilateral railway cooperation.

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