Vietnam, France sign MoU to strengthen railway cooperation
Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Danh Huy proposed that the EU and France support the Ministry of Construction in implementing energy transition initiatives in transport, greenhouse gas mitigation, and climate change response, contributing to Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as pledged at COP26. He also highlighted the need for training and capacity-building support.
Delegates at the working session in Hanoi on May 27 (Photo: VNA)
Hanoi (VNA) ꦛ– Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Danh Huy had a working session in Hanoi on May 27 with Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD) Rémy Rioux and representatives of the European Union Delegation in Vietnam to discuss cooperation in transport and construction, within the framework of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Vietnam.
The EU and French sides shared their orientation and plans to support Vietnam’s green transition, including grants to help reduce emissions in the transport sector.
Deputy Minister Huy commended the AFD’s collaboration with Vietnam in the transport sector through implementing railway projects and promoting energy efficiency and low-carbon development in buildings toward sustainable urban development.
He proposed that the EU and France support the Ministry of Construction in implementing energy transition initiatives in transport, greenhouse gas mitigation, and climate change response, contributing to Vietnam’s commitment to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, as pledged at COP26. He also highlighted the need for training and capacity-building support.
During the meeting, Deputy Minister Huy, AFD Director General Rioux, and SNCF International President Diego Diaz signed a memorandum of understanding between the Ministry of Construction, AFD, and SNCF International on enhancing the capacity of ministry officials in the railway sector.
Earlier, on May 26, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh and French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet signed a letter of intent between the Ministry of Construction of Vietnam and the Ministry of Transport of France to promote cooperation in transport, including aviation, maritime, inland waterways, and railways.
The signing aims to implement the Joint Statement on the establishment of a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership between Vietnam and France issued on October 7, 2024, during the visit to France by Party General Secretary and President To Lam, reflecting the two sides' determination to boost cooperation in the transport sector./.
President Macron highlighted that USTH is now ranked fifth nationwide for research output and has forged strong collaborations in science and technology with top French academic and research institutions. He also noted that France has to date trained over 15,000 Vietnamese engineers, more than 3,000 doctors, and thousands of legal experts.
Phoc expressed his pleasure at the recent positive development of Vietnam–France relations across various fields, noting that France became the first EU country to establish a comprehensive strategic partnership framework with Vietnam during Party General Secretary and State President To Lam’s official visit to France in October 2024.
The elevation of Vietnam-France ties to a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership provides opportunities for deeper cooperation between France and Vietnam, and between ASEAN and the EU.
The OECD Economic Surveys: Vietnam 2025 report focuses on analysing the country’s macroeconomic fundamentals, the impact of international integration on attracting foreign investment and trade, and the country’s prospects for developing a low-carbon economy.
Antoine Colin, Senior Vice President for Global Supply Chain Digital Transformation & Resilience at HP Inc., affirmed HP’s strategic commitment to building a supply chain and ecosystem in Vietnam and the region.
Deputy Director General of the Ministry of Industry and Trade (MoIT)’s Trade Promotion Agency Bui Quang Hung emphasised that logistics has evolved from a technical function into a core capability for Vietnamese exporters to maintain their competitive advantage in the US market.
A trade official has suggested companies work closely with shipping lines, airlines, and freight forwarders to monitor routes, transit times, and potential surcharges while exploring broader cargo insurance to cover risks like war and terrorism.
In addition to institutional reform, the agency is also rolling out key solution groups to combat counterfeit goods, imitations, and intellectual property infringements in the digital environment.
The event, co-organised by the Vietnam Trade Office in the UK and TT Meridian, a local importer of Vietnamese fresh produce, aims to build a national lychee brand and encourage broader recognition of Vietnamese fruits in a competitive, high-end market.
The industry's performance has been powered by bold investments in modern production lines, enabling Vietnamese firms to produce complicated products which were exclusive to advanced economies.
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.
