The Hanoitimes – Vietnam’s railway sector is at the crossroad as reform is needed to stay ahead, or facing the risk of being left behind. The restructuring process now put focus on the divestment process of Vietnam Railways (VNR). With regard to the equitization process of VNR, the government is expected to reduce its share at the company to 51% to invite investors, with an aim to implement restructuring plan and competing with other transportation models, said the Chairman of Board of VNR Vu Anh Minh. VNR has previously completed the first phase of restructuring plan in scaling down its business lines, which focuses on freight transportation and increased the chartered capital to VND 3,2 trillion (roughly US$ 141 million). In period 2017 – 2020, VNR will continues phase two of the restructuring plan. Priority will be placed in the improvements of productivity and efficiency in operation, merging the Hanoi Railway Transport and Saigon Railways into a company specialized in freight transportation. In the future roadmap, VNR will divest all of its state fund from this company as soon as it starts having profitability. Stating the reason for this merging, Hanoi Railway Transport and Saigon Railways at present are providing freight and passenger transportation services, but this model proved inefficient as both companies have been sustaining losses. As they are operating non-stop train route from north to south, it is unlikely that the train can stop at a certain station for passengers to board in or changing the route. However,… [Read full story]
More than 2,600 km of railways linking the north and the south has become an indispensable travel link Vietnamese people. The train horn always heralds a departure or a reunion. All these can be easily seen at Saigon Railway Passenger Transport Company. Wholly State-owned Saigon Railway Passenger Transport Company specialises in passenger, luggage and parcel transportation; freight transportation; domestic multi-modal transportation; international transportation; and others. Currently, the company is managing railways from Ho Chi Minh City to Da Nang City, crossing nine provinces and cities, with about 85 stations and 13 affiliates. Besides, the company enters into partnerships and cooperation…... [read more]
The Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR) will begin a pilot service offering free meals to passengers to mark the addition of six new trains on the North-South line on January 10.This is one of the new services introduced under the cooperative arrangement between VNR and the Southern Airports Services Joint Stock Company.Passengers will be provided a main dish and a side dish at certain times of the day.Main dishes include rice with pork, fish or eggs, fried rice, or fried noodles; each served with soup, fruit and drinks. Side dishes include steamed dumplings, sticky rice and drinks. The menu will change,…... [read more]
In a proposal that was sent to the ministry, the corporation said the country's railway infrastructure was in poor condition.Thecurrent North-South railway, with a width of 1 metre, runs a totallength of more than 1,720 kilometres. It was built after the Frenchcolonisation. The track's current maximum limit is only 25 trains per day, or 18 trains per day on some routes. Theconstruction of a track of the same width and running parallel to thecurrent track would resolve the current problem, the proposal said.Currently,railway transport accounts for only 0.5 percent of the total passengertransport market and 1 percent of total freight…... [read more]
The railway is one of the oldest industries in Vietnam. Having undergone 130 years of construction and development with its efforts, the Government's attention together with the assistance of international organizations, Vietnam railways has made considerable development and initiated many arterial roads for the Vietnam economy. However, Vietnam railways has not developed correspondingly in comparison with its growth potential, economic and social significance. To create new breakthroughs, it is essential that Vietnam railways should receive more capital support, and the open policies of international financial organisations, which can help Vietnam railways obtain its goals and implement its strategies well. Initial…... [read more]
Minister of Transport Truong Quang Nghia appointed Vu Anh Minh as the Chairman of Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) on Tuesday.Before his new appointment, Minh was director of the ministry’s Enterprise Management Department.Speaking at the conference held in Ha Noi, Nghia requested the VNR to continue restructuring and re-organising the business, focusing on effective investment, accelerating science and management technology applications to ensure railway safety.The corporation needs to check its passengers and freight transport strategies as well, said Nghĩa.Minh took the post from Tran Ngoc Thanh, who was dismissed from his post as chairman of VNR in December 2016 when the…... [read more]
