Hanoi (VNA) – The Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) inaugurated a carriage modernisation project in Hanoi on December 19, refurbishing 162 passenger coaches across its national network at a cost of more than 60 billion VND (2.3 million USD).
The same day, the state-owned company also launched two projects focused on digital transformation and green transition.
The trio of projects debuted amid a wave of nationwide infrastructure launches and inaugurations ahead of the upcoming 14th National Party Congress
VNR General Director Hoang Gia Khanh said the rapid three-month overhaul perfectly times the rollout of these refreshed coaches for the 2026 Lunar New Year (Tet) rush, boosting overall ride quality and passenger comfort, ramping up safety and reliability, and slashing future maintenance and repair costs.
Right after the ceremony, the upgraded coaches hit the rails on SE5 train departing Hanoi and SE6 from Ho Chi Minh City along the iconic North-South line. Rollouts will follow on SE1/2, SE3/4, SE7/8 and SE19/20 trains to meet surging Tet travel demand.
The VNR’s digital transformation project introduces AI-powered chatbot and voice-chat applications for customer support, while its green transition push pilots B5 biodiesel fuel on D12E locomotives running on the Hanoi-Hai Phong route.
These moves reflect the VNR's commitment to fulfilling six priority tasks set by the Prime Minister, including leading in innovation and digital transformation, applying sci-tech in line with the Politburo’s Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW, and spearheading advances in digital, green and circular economy, Khanh said./.