Vietnam to use bullet trains

TOKYO - VIETNAM will use Japanese bullet train technology in a US$56 billion (S$77.3 billion) national railway link, an official said on Thursday, with Japanese companies in line for multi-billion dollar contracts.

The project will see the construction of a 1,560km high-speed rail link between the capital Hanoi and the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City.

 'The Vietnam government has decided to adopt the Japanese 'Shinkansen' train technology at a cabinet meeting,' said Soichi Matsumoto, an official at Japan's trade ministry. -- PHOTO: BLOOMBERG

"Once the plan is officially confirmed by the Vietnam government, Japanese companies with the train technologies - such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries - are expected to land contracts,' he said