Though it won't be happening any time soon, Vietnam may one day have a high-speed railway line that runs the length of the country.
Global technology firm Siemens recently expressed its interest in building a national high-speed railway line, reports VietnamNet. These remarks, made by the company's Southeast Asia general director Armin Bruck, took place during a meeting with the Ministry of Transport late last month.
According to VietnamNet, the national government is “determined” to complete the rail project and has since ordered the Ministry of Transport to prepare a pre-feasibility study for presentation before the National Assembly, in order to explore the project's economic efficiency, resources and investment phasing, among other things.
While this is a small sign of progress, it's not time to book your tickets just yet. Last year, former Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung approved the high-speed line's creation, however it's still expected to take until 2020 before any actual construction work begins.
“We are conducting research in order to complete the report by the beginning of 2018,” Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong told the news outlet. “In 2020 we will start investing in the first stretch. Siemens can support us in this phase, especially as a technology consultant.”
In addition to its interest in a high-speed line, Siemens has also sought cooperation with Vietnam on other projects, such as Saigon Metro's Line 2.
[Photo via CCTV]
