Chairman of Lam Dong People’s Committee Tran Hong Thai speaks at the event. (Source: VNA)

At a working session on March 5 with the group’s Deputy General Director and Chief Accountant Guan Huapinh, Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee Tran Hong Thai confirmed that the Da Lat – Thap Cham railway line has been included in detailed planning under decisions issued by the Prime Minister and the Politburo.

Approved by the Ministry of Transport (now the Ministry of Construction) on July 6, 2022, the project will operate under a public-private partnership (PPP) model, with an estimated investment of 27 trillion VND (1.08 billion USD). Greenlit by the PM on October 19, 2022, the railway line is now integrated into the national railway network planning through 2050.

Thai expressed support for the group’s planned investment in the project as it is essential for the province's tourism and economic development, especially as Da Lat city and Lam Dong welcomed 10 million visitors last year.

He shared updates about Lien Khuong Airport, which has been upgraded to international status. Local authorities are actively working with airlines to expand international flight routes. Recent charter flights between the Republic of Korea (RoK) and Lien Khuong have already taken off, proving the skies above Da Lat are ripe for expansion.

This year, Lam Dong plans to introduce direct flights connecting Da Lat with major destinations such as Singapore, Siem Reap, and key Northeast Asian markets like Japan and the RoK, he said.

Guan, for his part, showcased his company’s impressive portfolio, highlighting its extensive experience in railway, transport, and construction projects across 50 countries, with a production value reaching 100 billion CNY (13.7 billion USD). The group is now involved in high-speed railways, eco-tourism developments, and mining operations in China.

He expressed strong enthusiasm for expanding cooperation with Lam Dong in the fields of railways, aviation, and tourism. Recognising Lam Dong’s immense tourism potential, he proposed establishing a transport corridor connecting Sichuan province - where the company is headquartered - with Lam Dong to boost cultural exchange and attract Chinese tourists to the region.

In reply, Thai assured that Lam Dong is ready to facilitate these cooperation projects in line with Vietnam’s legal regulations. He assigned the Department of Construction and the Department of Finance to coordinate further discussions with the Chinese group to explore specific details.