Dong Nai leaders visit Italy and France to exchange experience in metro development

A working delegation from Dong Nai province led by Huynh Thi Hang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee (PPC) and Chairwoman of the Provincial Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee, paid a visit to Italy and France from April 16 to 18 to gain insights into the manufacturing processes of locomotives and railcars, as well as metro operations featuring advanced technology integration.

Joining the delegation were Ho Van Ha, member of the PPC and Vice Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee, along with leaders from the Provincial Military Command, Dong Nai Public Security, Department of Construction, the Department of Foreign Affairs, the Office of the Provincial People’s Committee and DonaCoop company.

The Dong Nai delegation presents gifts and takes commemorative photos with the leadership of Hitachi executives in Italy. Photo: Viet Thang

On April 16, in Italy, the delegation was received by the executives of Hitachi, including Cyrille Bataile, Director for the Asia-Pacific Market; Maltagliati Lorenzo, Director in charge of Global Tenders and Rolling Stock; Federico Belli, Head of Asia-Pacific Sales; Marco Sacchi, Senior Director for Rolling Stock Engineering; and Le Trung Viet, Head of Digital Solutions in Singapore.

On behalf of the delegation, Deputy Secretary of the PPC Huynh Thi Hang provided an overview of Dong Nai’s development and highlighted key requirements and challenges in integrating signaling systems, ensuring seamless operational integration between systems, optimizing technical solutions and ensuring convenient connectivity between passenger stations and Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai.

Following the official meeting, the delegation conducted a field visit to a Hitachi factory to learn about the capacity of metro train locomotives, processes of production, construction, operations and maintenance of equipment. The delegation also experienced several metro lines in central Rome. As part of the program, the delegation also undertook a practical journey aboard a high-speed train operating between Rome and Florence, Italy.

The Dong Nai delegation tours metro locomotives and railcars at a Hitachi factory in Italy. Photo: Viet Thang

On April 17, in Florence city, the delegation traveled to Pistoia for further discussions with Hitachi executives.

Both sides exchanged technical expertise and explored solutions for integrated control operations between different systems, as well as interconnectivity between the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien metro line in Ho Chi Minh City and future passenger rail links to Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai.

Afterward, the delegation toured the manufacturing facilities to study various types of metro trains, high-speed trains and passenger rail services for intercity and interprovincial routes. At the end of the visit, they requested additional information from Hitachi regarding technical solutions, service models and warranty policies.

The Dong Nai delegation experiences metro operations across central Italian rail stations. Photo: Viet Thang

On April 18, in the French Republic, the delegation met with executives of Artelia. The meeting was attended by Philippe Grisez, Director of Transport Operations; Jean Pierre Courel, Deputy Executive Director for International Operations; and a team of technical experts.

During the discussions, both sides reviewed key issues related to metro engineering, design, construction and efficient operations. The delegation later visited passenger reception stations, control systems and metro operations managed by Artelia in France.

Deputy Secretary of the PPC Huynh Thi Hang presents gifts to Artelia executives in France. Photo: Viet Thang

The Dong Nai delegation poses for a group photo with Artelia executives in France. Photo: Viet Thang

The delegation visits and studies a passenger station operated by Artelia in France. Photo: Viet Thang

Over the course of three intensive working days, both sides exchanged views, compared advanced technologies, assessed potential solutions, and examined challenges in metro project implementation. They also shared practical experience to identify the most effective solutions for future metro projects.

By V.Thang – Translated by M.Nguyet, Thu Ha