Transport minister admits railway sector’s weaknesses
Weaknesses of the railway sector and orientations for its development were mentioned by National Assembly (NA) deputies while grilling Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The on June 4.
Hanoi (VNA) – Weaknesses of the railway sector and orientationsfor its development were mentioned by National Assembly (NA) deputies whilegrilling Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The on June 4.
The, who was the first Cabinet member interpellated by legislators inthe NA’s 5th session, highlighted the significant role of the railwaysystems, especially the North-South route in transport sector, adding that thesmooth operation of the system will help ease pressure on road transport.
However, he acknowledged that the current North-South railway is very backward,with some sections built 70-80 years ago without upgrading.
The minister admitted the sector’s shortcomings in its role as advisorfor the government and in improving the quality of railway systems.
Currently, there are 5,719 crossings between roads and railway routesnationwide, of which only 1,519 crossings are arranged by the Vietnam RailwayCorporation (VNR), while 4,200 others are opened by the community with highrisk of incidents despite warning signs, he noted.
The also added that many people have still ignored traffic rules whilecrossing the railways, leading to accidents.
The Ministry of Transport directed the VNR to hold teleconferences with citiesand provinces to deal with problems related to railway transport, whilecommitting with the localities on applying measures to ensure traffic safety atcrossings with the railway systems.
Along with designing urgent measures to ensure safety of railwaytransport, the ministry is also working on a project to build a North-Southhigh-speed railway, which will be submitted to the NA soon, The said.
Regarding the railway project submitted to the NA eight years ago, whichhas not been approved, he proposed thatthe NA gives directions and policies for railway projects, thus speeding up theapproval and implementation of the projects, including the North-Southrailway.-VNA
The Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) is set to put six new passenger trains into operation on the North-South route on January 10, 2018, in an effort to improve service quality.
Vietnam Railways (VNR) has targeted a revenue growth of over eight percent on last year’s figure of 8.17 trillion VND, said Vu Anh Minh, the corporation’s chairman.
Deputy Prime Minister Trinh Dinh Dung has ordered the Ministry of Transport and Communication to conduct the pre-feasibility study report of the North-South high-speed railway project in order to submit to the National assembly.
Vietnam ranked among the top four countries and territories at the 2025 International Olympiad on Artificial Intelligence (IOAI), reaffirming its strong position in international academic competitions.
All 20 crew members aboard the Vietnamese oil tanker GT Unity were successfully rescued from a fire in the vessel’s engine room, thanks to the swift response of the Liberian-flagged ship Androusa and Vietnamese maritime rescue teams.
Describing Agent Orange as one of the most severe and enduring legacies of the war in Vietnam, Vietnam's former Honorary Consul to Belgium Joseph-Michel de Grand Ry warned that its impact – still affecting generations more than five decades later – could last another two to three decades.
Running from August 4 to September 2, under the hashtag #TuHaoVietNam, the campaign invites participants in two categories: “I Love My Country” video clips and “I Love My Country” check-in photos.
Decree No. 219/2025/ND-CP, which took effect on the issuance date, introduces amendments that integrate the procedure for reporting and explaining the demand for foreign workers into the process of submitting applications for work permits.
With a tight 13-month deadline, the move is under a strategic and urgent policy to bridge educational gaps, train the local workforce, and shore up territorial sovereignty in some of the country’s most remote areas.
The parade and personnel send-off ceremony will officially take place on August 10 at the area surrounding the Statue of King Ly Thai To and Dinh Tien Hoang street of Hoan Kiem ward, with the participation of nearly 3,000 officers, soldiers, and local residents.
According to national technical regulations, AIS installation is mandatory for boats carrying more than 50 passengers. However, operators of smaller vessels (under 50 seats) in Ha Long Bay have voluntarily committed to completing installation by the deadline to enhance operational safety.
The activities include a Vietnamese language teaching training course for overseas Vietnamese teachers from August 13 to 28 in Hanoi, Ninh Binh, and Thai Nguyen.
Specifically, the ships will carry out patrols from 7am to 6pm daily along the main tourist routes in Ha Long Bay, with one ship permanently stationed at Ti Top island. From 6pm to 7am the following day, the mobile vessels return to Tuan Chau island to maintain a 24/7 on-call duty shift, ensuring constant readiness.
The Ministry of Construction (MoC) plans to open to traffic 208km of expressways of six key projects by August 19, bringing the country’s total expressway network to 2,476km.
As of July 1, a two-tier local government model started in 34 provinces and cities, streamlining administration but creating a surplus of public properties. If not promptly addressed, these assets could become a financial burden.
Whether they grow up to become journalists, diplomats, or professionals in other fields, these children can one day become bridges of friendship and cooperation, telling new and inspiring stories of Vietnam – China relations, said Ambassador Pham Thanh Binh.
A 21-year-old Indian tourist was successfully resuscitated and treated by doctors at Hoan My Da Nang Hospital after a near-drowning incident left him in critical condition. After three days of intensive care, the man was discharged from the hospital and has since returned to India.
In an document issued on August 5, the PM emphasised the need to stablise living conditions for people hit by floods, landslides, and flash floods in late July and early August in northern and north-central provinces, especially Dien Bien, Son La, and Nghe An which suffered some of the worst damage.
Although millions of Vietnamese were affected by AO, only over 626,000 individuals, including war veterans and their children suffering from dioxin-related conditions, are currently receiving state benefits.
The team’s haul, including one Champion title, 10 golds, seven silvers, and four bronzes, surpassed expectations. Vietnam, competing since 2019, has secured over 200 AIMO medals, cementing its regional standing.
The guiding principle for revising the national energy master plan is that energy development must align with the country’s socio-economic development strategy. The energy system should be optimised as a whole, targeting sustainable and diverse development to ensure stable and adequate energy supply to meet national goals.
The Vietnam Disability Fashion Show 2025 aimed to honour the diverse beauty of individuals, promote humanistic values, and foster equality and social inclusion.
Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The (Photo: VNA) 
