Vietnam: The German manufacturer has signed the Memorandum of Understanding with the local company VinSpeed (part of the private Vingroup corporation), which is in charge of Vietnamese HSR projects.
According to the MoU, Siemens is expected to deliver its Velaro Novo high-speed trains, signalling and power supply systems. In addition, the agreement covers the transfer of technologies and localisation of rolling stock and component production in Vietnam.
Siemens Mobility has been developing the Velaro Novo platform since 2018, but the full-scale prototype has not yet been unveiled. With an expected design speed of 360 km/h, the new platform will also have 10% higher passenger capacity and 15% lighter weight. The aerodynamics optimisation of the carbody and weight reduction will make the train 30% more energy efficient in comparison with the previous generation models. Meanwhile, the Velaro Novo will debut in the USA. In native Germany, the manufacturer has not yet received a relevant order.
In Vietnam’s market, Siemens Mobility will have to rival South Korean Hyundai Rotem. This autumn, the latter entered into an agreement with local THACO to launch rolling stock production in Vietnam and produce locomotives, metro trains, and infrastructure components alongside high-speed trains in the longer term. It is worth mentioning that the construction of the first North–South HSR line with a design speed of 350 km/h has been recently approved in Vietnam. In general, the country has announced ambitious plans for rolling stock procurements in the coming years.
