Vietnam Discusses Building a Data Ecosystem for the Railway Industry

Vietnam’s Railway and Infrastructure Industry Week opened on November 11, 2026, and runs through November 13. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Nguyễn Ngọc Cương, director of the National Data Center and vice president of the National Data Association, said the development of high-speed, urban and regional railways also creates opportunities for high-tech industries, supporting industries and data services.

Nguyễn Ngọc Cương speaks at the opening ceremony of Railway and Infrastructure Industry Week.（VietVance）

Nguyễn Ngọc Cương said modern railways depend on signaling, communications, sensors and operational monitoring systems, as well as tracks, trains and stations. Data can be used throughout surveying, design, construction, operations and maintenance. Combined with sensors and data analysis, it can help monitor infrastructure, detect anomalies and inform preventive maintenance.

He proposed establishing a railway data architecture from the planning and design stages, applying artificial intelligence and data science to infrastructure monitoring, anomaly detection, predictive maintenance and operational optimization, and gradually developing railway data products and services with the participation of Vietnamese institutions, businesses and experts. He also stressed that applying data and AI to critical infrastructure such as railways requires attention to system reliability, cybersecurity, data security and operational safety.

Trần Đình Tùng, chairman of the Vietnam Society of Civil Engineers, expects the railway market to exceed $200 billion over the next 10 years and sees this as an opportunity for Vietnam’s construction and railway industries. The event also includes discussions on railway technology and digital transformation, product displays and a business networking event scheduled for November 13.

Trần Đình Tùng, chairman of the Vietnam Society of Civil Engineers.（VietVance）

Source: VietVance