Hanoi (VNA) - The North-South High-Speed Rail project, with a proposed speed of 350 km/h, has significantly higher technical and technological requirements than conventional roads, which typically have a speed limit of 120 km/h.
According to Dao Ngoc Vinh, CEO of TEDI (Transport Engineering Design Inc.), high-speed rail involves more complex systems than road construction, including infrastructure, signaling, equipment, and power supply.
For example, the geometric design for high-speed rail requires a minimum curve radius of 6,000mm, compared to 3,000mm for highways. Bridge construction for high-speed rail also demands stricter deflection control, at a ratio of 1/1,600 to 1/2,500 of span length, compared to 1/800 for roads.
Vinh emphasized that tunnel design must take into account dynamic pressure from high-speed trains, ensuring smooth air transitions to avoid loud sonic booms when exiting tunnels. He stressed the importance of flawless construction and strict quality control to avoid major issues.
Phạm Viet Khoa, Chairman of FECON, highlighted that high-speed rail construction requires immediate stability of foundations and substructures, unlike roads which can tolerate settlement over time. He underscored the necessity of using cutting-edge technologies in foundation and underground construction to meet the project's exacting demands.
Vu Duc Nhan, Deputy CEO of Phuong Thanh Investment and Construction JSC, noted that Vietnam’s construction management technologies remain fragmented, and there is a need for a more holistic approach from government agencies to construction enterprises. He emphasised that advanced techniques, such as continuous beam casting, are critical for large-scale rail projects.
Nhan cited as an example that high-tech beam casting cannot be effectively executed through theoretical knowledge alone without hands-on application at construction sites. According to him, special attention must be paid to beam casting and installation. In many projects, Vietnamese contractors have only handled beams of around 70-80 meters, whereas high-speed rail construction requires continuous beam installation on a much larger scale.
Vu Hong Phuong, Director of the Railway Project Management Board, explained that the Ministry of Transport has proposed involving strong consultancy firms throughout the project stages. The Ministry is also standardising technical specifications for high-speed rail.
The preliminary investment estimate for the North-South High-Speed Rail project is approximately 43.7 million USD per kilometer, aligning with global averages. The Ministry plans to use existing domestic pricing standards for overall estimates, while adopting international prices for advanced technologies like rolling stock and signaling.
Whether to tender or directly award contracts will be carefully studied before making a decision to ensure transparency, competition, and efficiency. Phuong affirmed that the government prioritises domestic enterprises in consulting, construction, material production, and railway-related industries.
The high-speed rail project offers a tremendous opportunity for Vietnamese infrastructure contractors, promising a vast amount of work across various sectors./.
