French company Artelia has signed a major contract with Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction for project management services in preparation for studies on the Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City high-speed rail line. This contract has been awarded to the EVRC (European Vietnam Rail Construction) consortium, bringing together Artelia, Ineco (Spanish public engineering) and a local partner RCIC.

Described as a priority by the Vietnamese National Assembly, the future Hanoi–Ho Chi Minh City high-speed rail line is one of the country’s most ambitious transport projects, with an estimated investment of US$67 billion. It includes: 1,541 km of new track; a maximum speed of 350 km/hr (320 km/hr in operation); 23 passenger stations and five freight stations; and a reduction in travel time from 30 hours to 5-6 hours.

EVRC’s mission is to supervise the entire upstream process in order to guarantee the quality, consistency and robustness of future technical studies. As such, the consortium will assist the ministry in the following tasks:

• Structuring and conducting consultations

• Selecting and then managing national and international consultants responsible for conducting feasibility studies (FS), front-end engineering design (FEED) studies, site surveys, and field investigations.

According to Artelia, the main objectives of this phase are to precisely define the scope of the project, establish technical requirements, and frame cost estimates for the construction phases. This assignment places EVRC in a central coordinating role, ensuring a methodical, transparent approach that complies with international standards before work begins.

When completed, the new rail corridor will contribute to structural changes in mobility in Vietnam, reduce pressure on the road network, improve logistics, and sustainably support the country’s economic growth.

“This contract highlights Artelia’s ability to play a leading role in major international mobility projects. With an international experience and strong presence in Vietnam, Artelia will draw on its recognised expertise in managing major infrastructure projects and its know-how in sustainable transport,” said Éric Gratton, managing director of Artelia Vietnam.

“The project perfectly reflects our ambition: contributing to the design and implementation of innovative, safe and efficient mobility solutions that benefit local communities and support Vietnam’s economic development.”

Image: Artelia