Vingroup and Alstom have signed a rolling stock contract and a Technology License Agreement (TLA) that will see Alstom supply 200 Metropolis trainsets for Hanoi's urban rail projects while transferring technology for local manufacturing and assembly in Vietnam. The agreement, announced via Media OutReach Newswire, represents a significant step in Vietnam's efforts to modernise its rail industry and reduce reliance on imported rolling stock.
The trains will be new-generation five-car units designed for advanced operational efficiency and safety. Their aluminium car bodies reduce axle load, saving energy and reducing track wear, while the wide-body design maximises interior space and increases passenger capacity. The trains will operate fully automated and driverless at GoA4, the highest grade of automation, and feature a modern braking system that combines regenerative and disc brakes to ensure safety while recovering energy during braking.
Under the contract, the first 83 trainsets will be designed and manufactured at Alstom's Valenciennes Petite-Forêt site in France, one of the company's centres of expertise for metros. In addition to supplying these complete trainsets, Alstom will provide technology, engineering expertise, tooling support and key components to enable Vingroup to develop local capabilities to manufacture and assemble the next 117 trainsets in Vietnam. This phased approach is intended to build domestic capacity and integrate Vietnam into the global rail value chain.
The partnership matters because it lays an important foundation for strengthening Vietnam's self-reliance and modernising its rail industry ecosystem. It also opens opportunities for a long-term industrial partnership and progressively expands Vietnam's participation in the global value chain. For Hanoi, the stakes are considerable: under the city's Capital Master Plan with a 2045 vision, the urban rail network is planned to reach 979 kilometres, comprising 18 lines, serving as the backbone of the city's public transport system. With a total planned length of nearly 1,000 kilometres, the network would represent one of the largest urban rail development programmes in Southeast Asia, helping reduce traffic congestion, mitigate environmental pollution and improve the quality of life for Hanoi's residents.
Mr. Martin Sion, Alstom CEO, said the agreement is a major milestone for Alstom in one of the fastest-growing mobility markets in the world. He noted that combining Alstom's global expertise with Vingroup's industrial strength and long-term vision creates a unique partnership that supports both the expansion of Hanoi's metro network and the development of local rail capabilities. The deal also demonstrates the strength of French rail technology and reinforces Alstom's position as a trusted partner for major mobility projects across the region, according to the company's overview at www.alstom.com.
Mr. Nguyen Viet Quang, Vice Chairman and CEO of Vingroup, said high-speed rail, urban rail, bridges, ports, logistics and other next-generation transport infrastructure are among the key areas under Vingroup's Infrastructure pillar. He explained that the strategy is to connect world-class international resources, technologies and expertise with the strong execution capabilities of Vingroup's ecosystem, enabling the group to contribute to the development of infrastructure platforms with long-term significance for Hanoi and Vietnam.
Vingroup is the general contractor for Hanoi's metro projects through its subsidiary Vinhomes. The partnership with Alstom aims to provide rolling stock for Hanoi's urban rail projects while progressively developing local capabilities, enabling Vingroup to contribute over the long term to the development of the city's urban rail network. The agreement therefore signals a shift from simply importing rail technology to building a domestic industrial base, with implications for job creation, skills transfer and Vietnam's position in regional infrastructure supply chains.
