HCMC – Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy has said Spain can invest in Vietnam’s transportation industry and launch education and training programs for local personnel, particularly in railway projects.

Huy praised the growing ties between the two nations during a recent meeting with Ambassador of Spain to Vietnam Pilar Mendez Jimenez, citing Spain’s important role among Vietnam’s partners in the European Union.

He said Vietnamese authorities have sought to gain access to international technology and expertise to develop the nation’s express railways.

The country approved US$200 billion for the railway network between 2021 and 2030, with a vision to 2050, in which US$60 billion will be designed for the North-South express railway project, added Huy.

He advised Spain to support transportation development in Vietnam by promoting business investments and launching training initiatives.

Ambassador Jimenez highlighted the favorable natural conditions shared by the two countries in transportation infrastructure and said the Spanish Government wants to strengthen cooperation with Vietnamese counterparts.

With over 3,700 kilometers, Spain has the second-largest high-speed rail network in the world, after China’s, and the longest in Europe.

AVE Spain, the national express rail system run by Renfe, operates 229 trains in 57 cities, serving roughly 70% of the country’s population.

Most of Renfe’s trains run entirely on electricity, with a top speed reaching 350 kilometers per hour.