Vietnam Targets 140,000 Workers for High-Speed Rail Expansion

Vietnam's Strategic Push for Skilled Railway Workforce

Vietnam is making significant strides in preparing a new generation of highly skilled railway workers, as the nation gears up for an extensive expansion of its rail network. This includes the long-awaited North–South high-speed line, which is expected to transform transportation and connectivity across the country.

The Ministry of Construction has developed a comprehensive project aimed at training and developing railway personnel through 2030, with a vision extending to 2045. Officials emphasize that without substantial investment in human capital, Vietnam may continue to rely on foreign expertise for designing, building, and operating its new transport systems.

Recent approvals include nine new railway routes and upgrades to seven existing lines, along with plans for 28 urban railways in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City. These projects are expected to cover over 1,100 km by 2045. Flagship projects such as the North–South express railway and the Lao Cai–Ha Noi–Hai Phong line are considered crucial for the country’s industrialization, modernization, and regional connectivity.

The ministry states that these projects will be of immense scale and complexity, requiring a workforce capable not only of building and operating them but also of absorbing and advancing world-class technology.

Skills Gap Looms Large

Vietnam's railway sector still faces challenges due to limited technological capacity. Expertise in core fields such as locomotive design, rolling stock manufacturing, signaling, automation, and electrification remains largely imported, with minimal domestic research and production.

The ministry's report warns that without early workforce development plans, it will be difficult to master technology, and the country will remain dependent on foreign experts throughout project lifecycles. International experience shows that countries that successfully launched high-speed rail—such as Japan, France, China, and the Republic of Korea—paired infrastructure investment with systematic, long-term workforce training.

Training Targets and Phases

The draft project sets a target of training more than 140,000 workers for the railway sector by 2045, in phases. Between 2025 and 2030, some 35,000 people are expected to undergo training, focusing on high-speed rail, electrified lines, and urban metro systems. The plan includes:

• 1,000 postgraduate students
• 14,000 university graduates
• 11,000 college-level trainees
• 9,000 intermediate-level workers

Fields of study will range from construction engineering, electrical systems, and signaling to transport economics and operations. About 12,000 people will be trained specifically for railway operations and maintenance, including 4,500 for national railways and 7,500 for urban lines. The project also envisions training specialists in management and regulation to build institutional capacity alongside technical skills.

From 2031 to 2045, a further 105,000 workers will be trained, with a shift towards research, technology transfer, and homegrown innovation. The aim is to build a core of 5,000 personnel engaged directly in research and technology mastery, gradually reducing reliance on foreign expertise.

Making Rail an Attractive Career

The draft project outlines seven groups of tasks and solutions. It calls for the creation of incentives and supportive policies that can attract and retain skilled workers in areas such as railway management, engineering, and research. At the same time, it urges closer cooperation between universities, enterprises, and government agencies so that training programs align with the actual demands of major projects.

Another priority is to expand investment in training institutions, equipping them with modern laboratories, simulation centers, and research hubs that can provide advanced education and hands-on experience. The draft also highlights the need for public-private partnerships to mobilize additional resources for workforce development, while strengthening international cooperation with leading railway nations to facilitate the exchange of expertise and the transfer of technology.

Ultimately, the goal is to ensure that the railway industry becomes an attractive destination for top talent, rather than merely a temporary or stopgap option, according to the draft.

Funding and Collaboration

A mix of funding sources will be used. Training costs will be built into investment budgets for major railway projects, ensuring operators and maintenance staff are properly prepared before lines enter service. The state budget will support training for government officials and upgrades to teaching institutions. Enterprises will help train their own employees, while learners and employers will also share part of the cost.

Authorities hope to draw on international assistance and cooperation, both financial and technical, from development partners and railway powers with experience in high-speed systems. This collaborative approach aims to strengthen Vietnam's railway sector and ensure long-term sustainability.