Hanoi (VNA) – Railway freight transport servicehas experienced a slowdown in the first months of this year, according to theVietnam Railways Corporation (VNR).
Although passenger transport service made better performance, itrecovered only 80% of the 2019 pre-COVID-19 level, the corporation reported.
VNR leaders explained that difficulties in freighttransport were due to the incomplete recovery in railway business andproduction after the pandemic, plus competition pressure from aviation and roadservices.
Rail freight transport is expected to face more obstaclesas sea freight costs have been reduced to their previous rates after a periodof increases, they noted.
Over the past time, the corporation has applied manysolutions to restore business and production after the pandemic, such as maximisingfreight transport service.
VNR General Director Dang Sy Manh said the sector rakedin more than 7.7 trillion VND (326.6 million USD) in 2022, and cut losses by over400 billion VND from the previous year.
It aims to escape losses this year and gain profits inthe next two years, he said, adding that to achieve the target, the sector has putforth a range of plans right in the beginning of this year such as improving infrastructurequality and raising the efficiency of passenger and freight transport.
VNR has proposed the Ministry of Transport upgradeeight railway stations to international ones in order to enhance the freighttransport capacity, Manh said, taking the example of Kep station in the northernprovince of Bac Giang, which has offered international services since February18.
Freight transport service is projected to become a spearhead accountingfor up to 70% of the railway sector’s revenue.
The ministry has included the upgrade of the railwaystations into the 2021-2025 mid-term investment plan.
Besides, the model of railway in combination with tourismattracted more than 4.5 million passengers in 2022, tripling that in theprevious year, which will be stepped up this year./.
The railway network connecting economic hubs and seaports needs to be designed as the key arteries of the economy, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha said at a meeting with the Ministry of Transport and relevant departments on March 2.
Vietnamese infrastructure developer Deo Ca Group JSC has signed a joint venture agreement with Laos’ Petroleum Trading Lao (Petro Trade) Public Company to develop a railway project linking the two countries.
After more than one year of operation with millions of tonnes of goods and millions of passengers transported, the Laos-China Railway has helped reduce transportation costs and expand cross-border export activities in the region.
Outcomes of ABAC III will shape ABAC’s final policy recommendations to be submitted to the ABAC-APEC leaders’ dialogue, scheduled to take place in the Republic of Korea this November.
This is the second year the magazine has released the ranking, which is based on total revenue and key financial indicators of enterprises from seven countries in the region: Vietnam, Indonesia, Thailand, Malaysia, Singapore, the Philippines, and Cambodia.
At the summit, publishing, tech, and media sectors will discuss emerging trends, business models, and sustainable solutions for digital publishing development in Vietnam.
This year’s “Vietnam Goods Week” marks a significant milestone as it is being held simultaneously for the first time in four locations across Asia: Japan, Hong Kong (China), Cambodia, and Malaysia, from June 19 - 22.
According to NordCham Vietnam Chairman Thue Quist Thomasen, the Vietnamese Government’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 is both a challenge and an opportunity for businesses to contribute to green and sustainable growth.
The analysis from an investment perspective shows that the economy’s growth has been heavily capital‑driven, yet efficiency remains low as reflected by Vietnam’s Incremental Capital-Output Ratio (ICOR) being significantly higher than global and regional averages. This underscores the imperative to enhance capital‑use efficiency.
Deputy PM Tran Hong Ha urged countries to work together to remove supply chain bottlenecks, expand market access, strengthen cooperation in smart customs procedures, mutually recognise technical standards, and eliminate unnecessary protectionist barriers to boost trade and investment.
The event has gathered over 400 exhibitors from 16 countries and territories, with more than 980 booths showcasing a wide range of products and technologies in automotive components, electronics, repair and maintenance, bodywork, accessories, and customisation.
The latest order follows Vietjet’s commitment for 20 additional A330neo aircraft last month, bringing the airline’s total widebody aircraft on order to 40.
Minister of Finance Nguyen Van Thang acknowledged the target represents an important milestone for socio-economic development as well as a demonstration of the country’s aspiration for robust economic growth.
The price of E5 RON92 petrol is now capped at 20,631 VND (0.79 USD) per litre, up 1,169 VND from the previous adjustment, while RON95-III costs no more than 21,244 VND per litre, up 1,277 VND.
While German consumers are familiar with Vietnamese products such as coffee, seafood, tea, and spices, many other quality items remain relatively unknown in the market. The Selgros event not only helped introduce Bac Giang lychee to German consumers but also provided them with the opportunity to experience other Vietnamese agricultural products.
The article by Cuba’s Inter Press Service detailed how Vietnamese private enterprise Agri VMA leased 1,000 ha of land in Los Palacios district, Cuba’s westernmost province of Pinar del Río, for rice cultivation over a three-year period. The project’s first harvest in 2025 recorded an impressive yield of 7.2 tonnes per hectare, far exceeding the local average of 1.6 tonnes.
During the visit, office representatives held a working session with the Tipaza Chamber of Commerce and Industry and met with several prominent local businesses operating in key sectors including industry, agriculture, fisheries, food processing, chemicals, pharmaceuticals and plastics.
A Nordic delegation to Vietnam International Sourcing 2025 in September will feature leading names in retail, consumer goods, logistics, and sustainable manufacturing, including global fashion giant H&M, offering fresh prospects for partnerships in fashion, textiles, and green supply chains.
With the current trading band of +/- 5%, the ceiling rate applicable for commercial banks during the day is 26,276 VND/USD and the floor rate 23,774 VND/USD.
Effective from the date of signing on June 18, the decision halts procedures outlined in the 2005 Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) between the governments of Vietnam and Laos on the initial implementation of the Greater Mekong Subregion (GMS) Cross-Border Transport Facilitation Agreement at the Lao Bao–Densavan border gate.
The event aimed to update businesses on new regulations and compliance requirements regarding US tax, trade, and customs policies, while offering practical solutions to facilitate exports amid shifting trade dynamics.
The festival marks a significant milestone in promoting the brand, value, and legacy of traditional fish sauce - a product deeply rooted in the island’s identity and history spanning over 200 years.
Illustrative image (Source: VNA) 
