Promoting Vietnam-China railway transport cooperation

Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei welcomed Vietnamese Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh to visit and work with the Chinese Ministry of Transport - Photo: Department of International Cooperation

News from the Office of the Ministry of Construction, on March 24-26, 2025, a working delegation of the Ministry of Construction led by Minister Tran Hong Minh visited and worked in China.

Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh recently had a bilateral meeting with Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei to discuss promoting cooperation in the field of transport between the two countries. Also attending was Vietnamese Ambassador to China Pham Thanh Binh.

At the meeting, the two sides reviewed and assessed that cooperation in the field of transport between the two countries has made remarkable progress in recent times.

In the road sector, the two sides held online and in-person meetings to discuss and resolve difficulties and obstacles in Vietnam-China international road transport activities such as visas for drivers and vehicle attendants, two-way freight transport between the two countries, customs supervision agents for inland freight transport between the two countries, etc. Proposing contents to promote and facilitate international road transport through the three countries of China, Vietnam, and Cambodia.

Construction of the bridge across the Red River at the Bat Xat border began

The two sides are preparing to complete procedures to be able to sign 3 documents: Agreement, Protocol on construction of road traffic works at Thanh Thuy border gate (Ha Giang, Vietnam) - Thien Bao (Yunnan, China); Memorandum of Understanding on road cooperation between the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam and the Ministry of Transport of China in April 2025.

The two Ministers expressed their delight at the new progress in implementing these cooperations, especially the commencement of the bridge project across the Red River border between Bat Xat (in Lao Cai province, Vietnam) and Ba Sai (in Yunnan province, China) at the end of March 2025.

In the railway sector, Minister Tran Hong Minh emphasized the high political determination of the Party and Government of Vietnam in realizing the common perception of the two Parties and two States in cooperation and connecting the two countries' railways.

Vietnamese Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh and Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei agreed to actively exchange and strengthen close cooperation between the two ministries in the coming time, contributing to promoting comprehensive cooperation in the transport sector of the two countries.

Promote the construction of railway lines connecting the two countries

From the end of 2023 to December 2024, the former Ministry of Transport of Vietnam (now the Ministry of Construction) together with the National Development and Reform Commission of China and the China National Administration of International Development Cooperation (CIDCA) signed 6 documents to promote the implementation of the construction of these connecting railways.

It is expected that 3 more documents will be signed in the near future: Memorandum of Understanding between the National Development and Reform Commission of China and the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam on the establishment of the China-Vietnam Railway Cooperation Committee; Exchange of Official Letters on the Planning of the Dong Dang - Hanoi, Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong Standard Gauge Railway Lines; Minutes of the meeting on field survey and feasibility assessment of the Technical Support Project for the Feasibility Study Report of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong Railway Line.

"The leaders of the Party and Government of Vietnam are very interested in and closely direct the progress of railway projects connecting China in Vietnam and strive to start the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway investment project by the end of 2025.

On February 19, 2025, the Vietnamese National Assembly approved the project investment policy and to speed up the implementation progress, the Vietnamese National Assembly agreed to allow the application of 18 special and specific mechanisms and policies to implement the project," Minister Tran Hong Minh informed.

To promote effective implementation of upcoming cooperation, especially the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway investment project, Minister Tran Hong Minh requested Minister Liu Wei to report to the Chinese Government and consult with competent authorities such as the National Development and Reform Commission of China, CIDCA, and the Ministry of Commerce to soon carry out important tasks.

Accordingly, promptly approve and hand over the diplomatic note on non-refundable aid for the preparation of the Feasibility Study Report (F/s) of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong Railway Investment Project. Introduce Chinese enterprises with sufficient capacity to form joint ventures and cooperate with Vietnamese enterprises to participate in the project, from survey, technical design, supervision consultancy, construction, production, assembly of locomotives, carriages, etc.; notably, mobilize human resources in advance to immediately implement the preparation of F/s.

Appoint a focal point to preside over and negotiate the loan agreement. The framework agreement provides a loan from the Chinese Government to soon sign the loan agreement for the Project so that construction can start at the end of 2025.

At the same time, soon appoint consultants to plan two railway routes Dong Dang - Hanoi, Mong Cai - Ha Long - Hai Phong.

Chinese Minister of Transport Liu Wei highly appreciated the practical and effective cooperation between the two countries in the transport sector in recent times. Regarding the proposals from the Vietnamese Ministry of Construction, Minister Liu Wei said that he would receive them, report to the Government and work with relevant Chinese agencies to promote the Project.

At the end of the meeting, the two sides agreed to actively discuss and strengthen close cooperation between the two ministries in the coming time, in the spirit of comprehensive strategic partnership, promoting the building of the Vietnam - China Community of Shared Future.

Phan Trang

Source: https://baochinhphu.vn/thuc-day-hop-tac-van-tai-duong-sat-viet-nam-trung-quoc-102250326152408756.htm