French Minister for Transport Philippe Tabarot has expressed his belief that Vietnam and France are moving in the right direction towards a comprehensive strategic partnership, as agreed upon by President Emmanuel Macron and General Secretary To Lam.

During his working visit to Vietnam, Minister Philippe Tabarot discussed cooperation between the two countries, especially in the field of transportation.

Strengthening transport cooperation

Minister Philippe Tabarot’s visit to Vietnam follows General Secretary To Lam’s trip to France last year, during which the two nations elevated their relationship to a comprehensive strategic partnership.

Speaking to the media, Minister Tabarot noted that the two countries have made significant progress in railway development cooperation since the signing of a memorandum of understanding on transportation during General Secretary To Lam’s visit.

Shortly after arriving in Vietnam, Minister Tabarot had a series of productive meetings, including discussions with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh, and representatives of Vietnam Airlines. He also attended a high-speed railway seminar focused on the North-South high-speed railway project.

Metro experience and future collaboration

Minister Tabarot shared his recent experience traveling on the Metro Line 3 (Nhon - Hanoi Station) elevated section. Although the project has been delayed, he expressed satisfaction with the quality and efficiency of the line, highlighting the positive public reception.

He expressed hope that French companies, which have demonstrated their capabilities in the elevated segment, will continue to support the construction of the underground section.

Minister Tabarot described the 1,500 km North-South high-speed railway as an ambitious project that aligns with Vietnam’s development aspirations. As a global leader in high-speed railway technology, France believes the project is feasible and can contribute to economic, cultural, and tourism growth, similar to how the TGV (Train à Grande Vitesse) network transformed France.

Sharing expertise and technological know-how

Minister Tabarot acknowledged the political determination of the Vietnamese government and the National Assembly to advance this landmark project.

He affirmed that French expertise in railway engineering, technology, and maintenance could be highly beneficial to Vietnam.

Additionally, Minister Tabarot emphasized that France is committed to supporting Vietnam’s goal of carbon neutrality by 2030, with a focus on reducing carbon emissions in the transportation sector. This includes advancing high-speed rail and railway electrification.

Citing France’s cooperation with Morocco on its high-speed rail project for the 2030 World Cup, Minister Tabarot highlighted how France has successfully transferred technology and trained local engineers, setting a strong precedent for similar collaboration with Vietnam.

Looking ahead, Minister Tabarot expressed his hope that Vietnam and France will continue to deepen their cooperation, achieving mutual goals in sustainable transportation and economic development.

He emphasized that France’s approach goes beyond signing contracts and focuses on long-term partnerships and knowledge sharing.

Tran Thuong