Vietnam's Ministry of Transport has proposed new reforms that envisage fundamental changes in the country's railway system. These changes include new approaches to the organization and management of railways featured in the draft revision of the Railway Law. The main aim of the reforms is to increase efficiency by improving the functioning of the country's transport network.
New Railway Management Categories
According to the proposed plan, Vietnam's railway system will be divided into three main categories:
National Railways: These lines will be managed directly by the Ministry of Transport and will cover economic zones and transnational routes throughout the country. This category will form the main backbone that will manage transportation at the national level.
Local Railways: These lines, which will be managed by local authorities, will serve passenger and freight transportation within individual cities and states. Local railways will play a critical role in urban transportation.
Specialized Railways: These railways, which will meet specific transportation needs, will be under the jurisdiction of private organizations or individuals. For example, lines used by industrial areas or the private sector would fall into this category.
Regional Railways: A Special Category
Defined as a subcategory of local railways Regional Railways, will cross several states and centrally administered cities. A specific location will play a key role in the management and investments of these lines. The resources required for its construction will be distributed to the provinces and cities through which the line passes, and this distribution will be made according to the length of the railway line or according to the agreed rate.
Current Situation of Vietnam Railways Corporation (VRC)
Vietnam Railways Corporation (VRC) currently manages a network of more than 3.100 km and serves 297 stations. This extensive network includes 34 railway lines connecting Vietnam's 15 provinces and cities, as well as two transnational lines connecting Vietnam to China's railway network. VRC is also responsible for complex infrastructures such as bridges, tunnels and signaling systems.
These reforms aim to modernize Vietnam's railway system and increase the efficiency of national, local and international transport. In this process, a radical change in the management and organization of the railway system is envisaged.
