In the context of Vietnam’s active efforts to research and prepare for investments in a high-speed railway system—a modern, fast, efficient, and sustainable mode of transportation—the strengthening of linkages, knowledge exchange, and collaboration among educational institutions, research organizations, government agencies, and both domestic and international enterprises is increasingly vital.
On May 20, 2025, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering (HUCE) hosted the Signing Ceremony of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Chodai & Kiso-Jiban Vietnam Co., Ltd., in conjunction with a scientific seminar entitled “High-Speed Railway: Opportunities and Challenges.”
Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang – Vice President of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering and Mr. Ho Thai Hung – General Director of Chodai & Kiso-Jiban Vietnam Co., Ltd. exchanged the memorandum of understanding.
The ceremony was honored by the presence of Mr. Ho Thai Hung, General Director of Chodai & Kiso-Jiban Vietnam Co., Ltd. and Director of the Urban & High-Speed Railway Innovation Hub (UHRI Hub); Mr. Keiichi Aoki, Chief Engineer of Chodai Japan; Mr. Masataka Yamamoto, General Director of IHI Infrastructure Asia; Mr. Toshio Takebayashi, President of Nippon Sokei; Mr. Koji Takeya, Head of the Engineering Department at SE Corporation; Mr. Hoang Thanh Nam, Deputy Director General of the Department of Science, Technology, Environment and Construction Materials under the Ministry of Construction; and Assoc: Prof. Dr. Tong Tran Tung, Member of the Ministerial Advisory Board (Ministry of Construction).
Representatives from the Vietnam Railway Project Management Units, distinguished leaders, and experts from various Vietnamese and Japanese enterprises relevant to the field were also in attendance.
From HUCE, the ceremony welcomed Assoc. Prof. Dr. Bui Phu Doanh and Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang, the university’s vice-rectors, representatives of the university’s leadership, faculty members from various academic departments and divisions, and students.
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang, Vice Rector of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, shared that Resolution No. 57-NQ/TW dated December 22, 2024, of the Politburo on breakthroughs in science, technology, innovation, and national digital transformation aims to promote scientific and technological advancement. In particular, universities are expected to be central in driving innovation and advancing science and technology to serve Vietnam’s infrastructure development needs.
He further noted that under the government’s decision to plan 50 key technical universities in Vietnam, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering is among five institutions receiving special focus for investment and development in architecture and construction. With a team of over 1,000 faculty members and more than 20,000 students, the university strongly emphasizes fostering innovation and coordinating practical research projects to support infrastructure development.
To achieve these goals, one of the university’s key strategies is to promote collaboration with international partners, especially with countries with extensive experience in this field, notably Japan, which has operated the Shinkansen high-speed railway system since 1964.
Professor, Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang – Vice President of Hanoi University of Civil Engineering spoke at the ceremony.
Acknowledging the long-standing partnership with Chodai & Kiso-Jiban Vietnam Co., Ltd., Vice Rector Nguyen Hoang Giang emphasized that this Memorandum of Understanding marks a new chapter in fostering future collaborative initiatives. On behalf of the HUCE leadership, he also sincerely appreciated the company’s scholarship program, which is dedicated to supporting HUCE students.
At the ceremony, Prof. Dr. Nguyen Hoang Giang and Mr. Ho Thai Hung formally signed and exchanged the Memorandum of Understanding and a certificate recognizing Chodai & Kiso-Jiban Vietnam as an official sponsor of the Student Fund and Scholarship Program of the Faculty of Bridge and Road Engineering at HUCE. This agreement facilitates the exchange of knowledge, access to advanced technologies, and exposure to a professional working environment, while also contributing to developing a high-quality and stable human resource pool for the industry. It marks a significant step in strengthening cooperation in education, research, and technological application for advancing railway infrastructure development.
Overview of the seminar
Following the signing ceremony, the scientific seminar “High-Speed Railway: Opportunities and Challenges” occurred. The Urban and High-Speed Railway Innovation Hub (UHRI Hub) co-organized the event under Chodai & Kiso-Jiban Vietnam Co., Ltd., collaborating with the Faculty of Bridge and Road Engineering at Hanoi University of Civil Engineering. The seminar served as a platform for knowledge exchange and sharing experiences on implementing high-speed railway projects domestically and internationally. It also provided an opportunity to analyze the opportunities and challenges associated with applying this model in Vietnam, focusing on fostering collaboration among academia, industry, and government agencies.
The seminar attracted the participation of many management agencies, experts, businesses, scientists and students interested in the field of high-speed railways – a pillar of modern and sustainable transport infrastructure development.
The speakers presented numerous papers on the current status of high-speed railway projects in Vietnam and abroad while analyzing planning, design, investment capital, and technology transfer challenges. Several advanced technical and technological solutions were also introduced to highlight their potential applications for the North–South high-speed railway line.
Mr. Koji Takeya, Technical Director of SE Corporation, introduced some slope stabilization and pile foundation technologies for high-speed railways.
Many topics presented by the speakers garnered special attention from the attending delegates during the seminar. Mr. Keiichi Aoki, Chief Engineer of Chodai Japan Co., Ltd., delivered a presentation titled “Fundamental Issues of High-Speed Rail and Infrastructure Design.” With over 47 years of experience in the railway sector, Mr. Aoki shared significant distinctions between high-speed and conventional rail systems, illustrated with international and Japanese examples. He also addressed several widespread misconceptions and issued warnings about misinformation related to high-speed railway development.
Associate Professor, Dr. Tong Tran Tung – Member of the Advisory Group of the Minister of Construction presented a paper
Assoc. Prof, Dr. Tong Tran Tung, a member of the Ministerial Advisory Board, emphasized the importance of unified state management and technical regulations for high-speed rail investments. He pointed out inconsistencies arising from the lack of a standardized framework and proposed the adoption of an integrated urban railway standard system, along with the translation and validation of relevant standards from Europe, Japan, and China to inform Vietnam’s national standard selection.
Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Huy Dong, Lecturer of the Faculty of Bridges and Roads, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, presented a paper on the requirements and some foundation solutions for high-speed railway projects on weak ground.
During the seminar, the speakers introduced and shared several advanced technological and engineering solutions. Mr. Masataka Yamamoto, General Director of IHI Infrastructure Asia, presented on technology transfer related to constructing steel bridges for high-speed railways. Mr. Koji Takeya, Head of Engineering at SE Corporation, introduced technologies for slope stabilization and pile foundation techniques for high-speed railway tracks.
Mr. Toshio Takebayashi, President of Nippon Sokei, discussed the potential application of new pile-driving technology for high-speed rail development in Vietnam; meanwhile, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Phan Huy Dong, lecturer at the Faculty of Bridge and Road Engineering, Hanoi University of Civil Engineering, presented on foundational requirements and solutions for high-speed railway projects on weak soil.
Mr. Masataka Yamamoto, General Director of IHI Infrastructure Asia Company, presented on technology transfer in the construction of steel bridges for high-speed railways.
The seminar concluded with a lively roundtable discussion, featuring interactive exchanges between the speakers and participants attending both in person and online. Many questions and comments were raised, showing the strong interest of the professional community in this topic.
Mr. Ho Thai Hung – General Director of Chodai & Kiso-Jiban Vietnam shared at the seminar
Mr. Ho Thai Hung, General Director of Chodai & Kiso-Jiban Vietnam Co., Ltd. and Director of the Urban and High-Speed Railway Innovation Hub (UHRI Hub), shared:
“The seminar marks an important milestone in enhancing opportunities for exchange and cooperation among universities, businesses, and stakeholders, primarily as Vietnam researches and invests in the North–South high-speed railway project. We aim to serve as a bridge for sharing experience, knowledge, research, and technical solutions, and addressing challenges faced by different parties involved in railway projects. Through this, we aim to create more opportunities for collaboration and contribute to a future of fast, smart, safe, and sustainable transportation.
Source:https://moc.gov.vn/vn/Pages/chitiettin.aspx?ChuyenmucID=1184&IDNews=85417&tieude=le-ky-ket-bien-ban-ghi-nho-giua-truong-dai-hoc-xay-dung-ha-noi-va-cong-ty-tnhh-chodaikiso-jiban-viet-nam-va-toa-dam-khoa-hoc-duong-sat-toc-do-caoco–.aspx
