On March 5, Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee had a working session with the delegation of China Railway Bureau 2 on the project to restore the Da Lat - Thap Cham railway line.

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Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee works with the delegation of China Railway Bureau 2. Photo: NX

At the meeting, Mr. Quan Hoa Binh, representative of the China Railway Department 2, introduced many projects that this unit has implemented in several countries around the world. The delegation expressed interest in detailed planning information related to the project to restore the Da Lat - Thap Cham railway line.

In addition, the partner also mentioned the project to promote the opening of international flights at Lien Khuong airport (Da Lat - Singapore, Da Lat - Siem Reap) with some Northeast Asian countries and other cooperation opportunities such as tourism projects.

On the local side, Mr. Tran Hong Thai, Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee, said that the restoration of this railway line is necessary, and at the same time, the locality is ready to support the China Railway Bureau 2 to study the project and will assign departments and branches to coordinate closely to guide the implementation of investment procedures as quickly as possible.

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Mr. Tran Hong Thai, Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee at the meeting. Photo: NX

Regarding Lien Khuong airport, the Chairman of Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee said that this is a 4D international airport according to the regulations of the International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO). This year, the province will expand flight routes to Singapore, South Korea, Japan and has plans to expand and upgrade this airport.

After the working session, Lam Dong Provincial People's Committee assigned relevant departments and branches of the province to be the focal point to connect and work with China Railway Bureau 2 on projects according to regulations.

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Da Lat train station seen from above. Photo: Xuan Ngoc

The Da Lat - Thap Cham railway line was started in 1908 and completed in 1932. The line is 84km long and is the first mountain railway line in the world. The entire line passes through 9 stations, 5 tunnels, 2 large bridges, and 2 high passes: Ngoan Muc Pass and D'ran Pass.

The entire route has 3 sections (total 16 km) running on cog railways with a gradient of 12% to overcome an altitude of more than 1,500m including: Song Pha Pass - Eo Gio, Don Duong - Tram Hanh section, Da Tho - Trai Mat section. Currently, only the 6.7 km long Trai Mat - Da Lat section is used to operate tourist trains.

The 'unique' cog railway in the Da Lat plateau Da Lat Station still retains traces of the cog railway, considered "unique" in Vietnam and rare even in the world. This project was built by the French in 1932.