Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (center) visits the Hoa Phat Dung Quat Iron and Steel Production Complex at the Dung Quat Economic Zone, the central province of Quang Ngai, February 10, 2025 - Photo: VGP/Nhat Bac

Pham made the call during his inspection tour to the Hoa Phat Dung Quat Iron and Steel Production Complex located at the Dung Quat Economic Zone in the central province of Quang Ngai.

He praised the group for its achievements after eight years of investment in Quang Ngai and its contributions to industrial production, job creation, budget revenue, and social welfare in the locality.

The Prime Minister asked the group to continue studying and producing high-quality steel, diversifying its product range to support national development.

Prime Minister Pham also suggested domestic automaker Thaco to look into manufacturing high-speed trains during a tour to the company on Saturday.

Viet Nam plans to build high-speed railways using the national budget, and with little dependence on foreign technology. 

Foreign contractors who want to join the project must use domestically produced goods and services. The transport sector has already had a team on contractors who can build the roads and tunnels for the project themselves.

The government may appoint top businesses in railway manufacturing, infrastructures and information technology to join in the project. 

The National Assembly approved investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway project at its 8th session in Ha Noi on November 30, 2024. 

The 350-kph railway will stretch 1,541 kilometers, connecting 20 cities and provinces. The project will have total investment capital of around VND1,713.5 trillion (US$67.6 billion).

The construction of the first sections from Ha Noi to Vinh city in central province of Nghe An and Nha Trang city in the central province of Khanh Hoa to Ho Chi Minh City is expected to begin in late 2027. The remaining section from Vinh to Nha Trang is scheduled to begin in 2028-2029. The Government will strive to complete the whole project by 2035.