Transportation has always played a vital role as the lifeblood and driving force behind a nation’s socio-economic development, and railway transport is currently one of the modes receiving the most public attention.
The “Railway Network Plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050,” approved by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1769/QD-TTg dated October 19, 2021, also stated: “Railways are a specialized sector with a crucial role in the transportation infrastructure system, identified as one of the three strategic breakthroughs requiring prioritized investment for socio-economic development in conjunction with ensuring national defense and security, adapting to climate change, and promoting sustainable development.” In line with the developmental momentum of a “soaring era” in Vietnam, A2Z is actively preparing resources and capabilities in the Railway & Metro sector, aiming to become a leading Railway & Metro Design and Appraisal consulting unit in Vietnam. Specific actions undertaken by A2Z to materialize this goal include:
1. Participating in the Preparation of the Pre-Feasibility Study Report for the Vung Ang – Tan Ap – Mu Gia Railway Line Project:
The Vung Ang – Tan Ap – Mu Gia railway line construction project, part of the Vientiane – Vung Ang railway within the approved railway network plan (as per Prime Minister’s Decision No. 1769/QD-TTg dated October 19, 2021), is slated for investment before 2030. Once established, the Vung Ang (Vietnam) – Vientiane (Laos) railway line will seamlessly connect with the Vientiane (Laos) – Kunming (China) railway and the Vientiane (Laos) – Thailand route. This will facilitate Central Vietnam, via Laos, in accessing the Northeast Thailand and China markets, thereby boosting economic development and increasing trade activities.
The project starts at Vung Ang Port (Ky Anh district, Ha Tinh province), and ends at the Cha Lo Border Gate (Minh Hoa district, Quang Binh province). The railway line will be constructed as a single-track railway with a 1,435mm gauge, a total length 104.43 km, and a trackbed cross-section designed to single-track 1,435mm gauge standards with a trackbed width of 8.1m. The design speed is 120 km/h.
In preparation for this proposal report, we collaborated and formed a consortium with the China Railway Design Corporation (CRDC) and Dai Phong Construction Design Consulting Joint Stock Company. CRDC is a leading design consulting unit in the Railway and Metro sector in China.
In order to develop synchronized and unified design solutions for the entire Vietnam-Laos railway project, A2Z proactively engaged with PTL Holding Group (the investor for the Vietnam-Laos railway project within Laos) and Yoshin Corporation (Korea).
Proposal meeting between A2Z and PTL Holding
On-site survey of the project by the A2Z-CRDC-DP Consulting Consortium
This is considered the initial project in the railway sector for A2Z. When the company first began researching the project proposal, they were somewhat unfamiliar with this new specialization. However, with the experience and capabilities of the leadership and experienced engineers who had previously undertaken Grade I highway projects, the team quickly adapted, researched, and learned. And together with the consulting consortium, the company completed the initial report of the project.
2. Collaborating on Research and Proposal for Urban Railway Line No. 2, Section from Tay Ninh Bus Station to Northwest Cu Chi Urban Area.
The Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro line (Metro Line No. 2) plays a crucial role in the urban transportation system of Ho Chi Minh City. Once completed, it will help alleviate the pressure on major roads that are frequently congested. Additionally, the line connects with multiple bus routes, increasing inter-regional travel options, thereby reducing dependence on private vehicles, lowering environmental pollution, and fostering regional connectivity to drive economic development in the area.
Metro system in Ho Chi Minh City
On April 29, 2024, A2Z Construction Consulting JSC, together with Guangzhou Metro Research and Design Institute Co., Ltd. (under Guangzhou Metro Group – China), Kunming Engineering Corporation (a member of Power China Group), and Vietnam Urban and Industrial Construction Consulting JSC, jointly signed a cooperation agreement for the research of Metro Line 2 project.
Mr. Mai Hai Đang – Deputy General Director of A2Z (second from the right) during the meeting exchange with its partners.
With the advantages and experience of each party in implementing Metro projects has enabled A2Z to approach the Metro Line 2 project in a more practical and in-depth manner. This also helps A2Z consolidate and enhance its knowledge and experience in undertaking future Metro projects.
3. Participation in the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong Railway Investment and Construction Project:
The Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway line is an important part of the Trans-Asian Railway, a key component of Vietnam’s “Two Corridors, One Economic Belt” strategy and China’s “Belt and Road” initiative, connecting the economic regions of Lao Cai, Hanoi, and Hai Phong, as well as the industrial belt, and forms a crucial part of the cargo collection and transportation system of Hai Phong Port in Vietnam.
A2Z collaborated with China Railway Fifth Survey and Design Group Co., Ltd. to prepare the basic design dossier for the railway section from Km2+500 to Km5+500, including Lao Cai station and the southern section, with a total length of L=7.5Km. The expected completion time is March 2025.
4. Promoting specialized railway training for engineers:
In order to create a professional team of engineers in the field of Railways and Metro, alongside learning from domestic and international partners, A2Z has aggravated the fundamental knowledge training in the field by sending engineers from the company to attend second degree programs in “Railway Construction” and “Automation and Signaling Control Engineering” at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Transport Ho Chi Minh City (UTH).
A2Z engineers participate in a practical training program.
Beyond theoretical training, A2Z also actively promotes cooperation with experienced international railway consultants from countries such as Japan, China, and Germany. The purpose is to learn from their expertise and understand advanced technical solutions, while also researching how to “localize” these techniques to ensure they are suitable for conditions in Vietnam.
A2Z Construction Consulting Joint Stock Company is currently striving to accumulate knowledge, capacity, and experience to undertake railway projects in the future. This will contribute to development of A2Z into a leading and multi-disciplinary design consulting firm in the transportation sector in Vietnam, thereby contributing to the growing and sustainable development of the country.
By: Nguyen Manh Tuong – Translator: Quang Anh
