Viet Nam, South Korea spur cooperation in transport infrastructure development
VGP - Vietnamese Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh and South Korean Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-duk held talks in Ha Noi on Tuesday, aiming to expand cooperation in transport infrastructure and urban development.
Vietnamese Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh (L) presents gift to South Korean Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Kim Yun-duk, Ha Noi, April 21, 2026
Speaking at the meeting, Minister Park stressed the importance of deepening bilateral ties amid growing global uncertainties. He pointed to ongoing tensions in the Middle East that have disrupted supply chains and posed risks to global energy security.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport (MOLIT) to strengthening cooperation in transport and urban infrastructure, and proposed establishing a Viet Nam–South Korea infrastructure and technology cooperation board to enhance information sharing and coordination.
Railway cooperation has emerged as a key pillar in bilateral ties. The head of MOLIT's railway bureau recently met with Vietnamese Ambassador to South Korea to explore potential projects, signaling growing momentum in this field.
South Korea, which has operated high-speed rail since 2004 through systems such as Korea Train Express (KTX), has developed strong capabilities in construction, operation, maintenance, and rolling stock manufacturing. The country is now exporting high-speed rail technologies globally and has expressed interest in supplying trains for Ho Chi Minh City's Metro Line No. 2.
Korean partners also proposed enhancing cooperation in railway development through technology transfer and workforce training, supporting Viet Nam's ambition to build a self-reliant rail industry. They suggested holding the first Viet Nam–South Korea railway cooperation conference in June 2026, based on a memorandum of understanding signed in 2025.
Beyond railways, South Korea expects to expand cooperation into roads, seaports, and aviation, including mobilising financial resources through official development assistance (ODA) and public-private partnership (PPP) models.
Meanwhile, Minister Tran welcomed the proposals, affirming Viet Nam's readiness to facilitate Korean participation while emphasising the importance of appropriate and effective implementation mechanisms. He noted that Viet Nam is accelerating decentralisation, suggesting Korean firms should actively engage with local authorities in projects such as urban areas, industrial parks, and urban rail systems.
He also updated the Korean side on the progress of the North–South high-speed railway project and Viet Nam's social housing policies, expressing support for Korean enterprises' involvement.
To further advance cooperation, the Ministry of Construction will coordinate with relevant agencies to establish the proposed joint board, organise the first railway cooperation conference in June 2026, promote PPP projects in transport and urban development, and implement initiatives under the Viet Nam–South Korea Smart City Cooperation Center./.
