Vietnam Railways is accelerating digitalisation and clean energy initiatives to improve operational efficiency, reduce emissions and strengthen the competitiveness of the railway sector in Vietnam.
The railway network currently operates around 2,600 km of track, supported by 258 locomotives and approximately 4,000 passenger and freight carriages. Following a pandemic-related slowdown, the sector recovered in 2025, transporting about 40 million passengers and more than 5 million tonnes of cargo.
To modernise operations, Vietnam Railways has introduced a range of digital technologies, including e-ticketing, digital signatures, chatbot-based customer services and the VNRA-MIS infrastructure asset management platform. Additional technologies such as AI, big data, IoT systems, surveillance cameras and Lidar-based safety systems are being deployed to improve traffic monitoring, operational management and incident response.
The sector is also pursuing greener operations as part of Vietnam’s broader sustainability agenda. Although rail contributes only a small share of national transport emissions, diesel-powered locomotives remain the largest source of railway-related greenhouse gas emissions, consuming around 46,000 tonnes of diesel annually.
By 2030, Vietnam Railways aims to fully implement digital transformation measures, modernise infrastructure and gradually adopt cleaner fuels and technologies. The strategy focuses on improving governance, upgrading infrastructure, enhancing workforce capabilities and supporting the development of a greener and more efficient transport system.