Railways: The Backbone of Transportation Driving National Development Aspirations

Comrade Dang Sy Manh, Member of the Government Party Committee Executive Board, Secretary of the Party Committee – Chairman of the Board of Members of Vietnam Railways Corporation (VR), presented a discussion at the Government Party Congress plenary session on the afternoon of October 12th. His keynote address was titled “Building a Clean and Strong Party Committee; United, Disciplined, Striving for Self-Reliance; Effective Cooperation; Streamlined, Breakthrough; Creating Modern and Sustainable Development – Practical Insights from the VR Party Committee.”

Significant Transformation in Trains and Stations

Comrade Dang Sy Manh noted that, entering the 2020-2025 term, like many other corporations and enterprises, VR faced unprecedented challenges: the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, natural disasters, floods, and numerous other adverse factors.

In this context, with the attention of the Party and the State, under the close guidance of the Government and the Standing Government, the Party Committee of VR, as the political core, has comprehensively led and directed; promoted the spirit of unity, innovative thinking, and action, overcoming all difficulties and challenges. They focused on implementing and exceeding the targets set by the 12th Congress Resolution, achieving notable milestones: The corporation’s production and business activities rebounded strongly post-pandemic, returning to profitability from 2023; they have researched and launched many new and unique products and services for the public; the appearance of trains, stations, and routes has significantly improved: Railway routes transformed into flower roads, stations into destinations, and train travel into a relaxing and experiential journey…

The application of science and technology, as well as digital transformation, has been accelerated; the quality of infrastructure has gradually improved; international intermodal transport and cooperation have expanded.

Safety assurance has been maintained with the motto: “Identify risks – Prevent early – Handle promptly – Ensure no recurrence.”

The North-South Railway Line has been honored as the top in the list of the world’s most beautiful railway lines for two consecutive years (2024, 2025).

Party building efforts have seen positive changes, achieving comprehensive results; internal unity and consensus have been strengthened. Efforts to consolidate grassroots party organizations, personnel management, inspection, and supervision have been emphasized; the quality of branch meetings has improved; trade unions and youth organizations have effectively played their roles, contributing to enhancing mass mobilization and consolidating internal unity.

The term’s achievements in the railway sector are also marked by historic milestones: The Politburo issued Conclusion No. 49, the National Assembly issued Resolutions No. 172, 187, and 188. Additionally, the Government issued Resolutions No. 106/NQ-CP on April 23, 2025, and No. 127/NQ-CP on May 13, 2025… regarding the investment and construction of new railway lines, urban railways, and high-speed railways with very urgent schedules.

Railways: Not Just the “Aorta” or “Spine” in Socio-Economic Development

As our country enters a new era of deep integration and robust development, the role of transportation, especially railways, has become more critical than ever. Comrade Dang Sy Manh emphasized that railways are now not only the “Aorta” or “Spine” in socio-economic development but also a key factor in ensuring national security and defense; they are one of the main pillars in the transportation sector to realize the nation’s development aspirations.

Drawing from the practical experience of leadership, direction, and task implementation over the past term, to build a clean and strong Party Committee; united, disciplined, striving for self-reliance; effective cooperation; streamlined, breakthrough; creating modern and sustainable development, the VR Party Committee proposes several key and breakthrough solutions:

First, focus on building a clean and strong party organization, with an emphasis on enhancing the leadership capacity and combat strength of party organizations and the quality of party members and officials; strictly implement party organization and activity principles, ensuring the Party’s comprehensive leadership in all corporation activities.

Innovate leadership content and methods, shifting from a “management” mindset to a “service” mindset, from “compliance” to “creation,” from “passivity” to “proactivity,” and from administrative commands to leadership through resolutions, strategies, and modern market economy thinking, suitable for state-owned enterprises.

Second, strongly promote the spirit: Unity is strength – Discipline is the foundation – Self-reliance is the driving force.

Building on the glorious 70-year tradition of the Party Committee, with the spirit of “New thinking, correct perception, clear ideas, and decisive actions,” VR will continue to maximize existing potential, advantages, and resources to successfully fulfill all assigned tasks, gradually building a sustainable and modern railway sector.

Third, proactively expand and enhance effective cooperation with countries having developed railway systems in areas such as: Training high-quality human resources; receiving and transferring new technologies and techniques; building railway industrial complexes; manufacturing railway materials and equipment; and implementing new railway projects.

Strengthen cooperation with partners and enterprises in developing railways, warehouses, and logistics centers; invest in transportation means, logistics operations, and tourism development, such as connecting services, last-mile transportation, travel connections, aiming for a single ticket for the entire journey…

Closely coordinate and maximize support from ministries, sectors, and localities to create a combined strength, mobilize social resources, and contribute to the synchronized, modern, and sustainable development of the railway sector.

Fourth, accelerate the restructuring of VR towards a corporation model; reorganize and streamline affiliated units to be leaner, reduce management layers, and enhance operational efficiency; simultaneously focus on implementing five strategic breakthroughs: Shifting from administrative management thinking to a service mindset; promoting decentralization, authorization, and post-checks; modernizing existing railway lines and vigorously participating in new railway projects; accelerating digital transformation and science and technology application; training and developing high-quality human resources; and developing services and markets: “Serve what customers need, not limited by what we currently have.”

Fifth, create conditions for modern and sustainable development. Implement two strategic tasks: Manage, operate, maintain, upgrade, and ensure the safety and efficiency of existing railway lines with the mission of transporting goods and passengers in suitable stages, linked with tourism development.

With the motto “High determination, great effort, decisive action, focusing on key areas, with specific products,” Comrade Dang Sy Manh stated that the railway sector is determined to innovate thinking and actions vigorously, building modern development and accompanying the nation in realizing the aspiration of a strong, prosperous, and happy Vietnam.