Solutions, production and business tasks
in 6 remaining months of Railway sector

Railway sector are striving for achieving transport targets in 6 remaining months of 2002 as follow:

- Freight transport: 3.62 million tonnes.

- Passenger transport: 6.193 million.

* Main solutions:

- Continuously implementing the guideline: "All staffs in railway sector are involved in transport work" and "Passengers are benefactors".

- Carrying out the project of connecting "Automatically ticket selling system" to 13 stations on North - South railway line and some stations in the North as well as expanding ticket-selling agents.

- Pushing up marketing activities.

- Carrying out active measures in transport management.

- Concentrating on transporting tourists in summer holiday.

- Strengthening railway accident prevention measures.

- Continuously examining railway infrastructure to ensure train-running safety, especially with S1/2, E1/2 trains.

* Some production and business tasks in 6 remaining months of 2002:

- Carrying out well the activities of repairing railway infrastructure and making full use of entrusted fund.

- Pushing up the progress of ODA projects and constructing Hochiminh road.

- Building 4 tunnels in Hai Van mountain pass without interfering in transport plan.

- Completing the scheme of turning Vietnam Railways into the model of State Corporation and equitizing 6 Enterprises as the regulation of the Ministry of Communication and Transport.

- Overcoming, solving the shortcomings after inspecting the balance-sheet of 2001 and paying remaining debt in time.

- Having measures aimed at improving competition capacity of railway sector as well as implementing Resolution No 3 on exporting rolling stock and mechanical products.

- Receiving 10 "renewal locomotives", 10 "Indian locomotives" and putting Ha Noi - Lao Cai pull-push train into operation.

- Co-ordinating with other relevant units to ensure train-running safety and national defence.

- Strongly applying information technology in transport management.

- Putting land management of railway sector under regulation.

- Actively preparing for 2003 plan.

PV (Railway Newspaper No 553; July 2, 2002)

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New product from CTI technology for passengers of railway sector

Following the operation of Railway Automatically Announce System via phone number 7.470.666 and 2.000 (railway sector number), Direct Inward System Access using CTI (Computer and Telephony Integrated) technology was put into use from June 1, 2002 by Ha Noi Railway Signalling and Telecommunication Enterprise with a view to better meeting the demand of passengers. Subscribers of Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Corporation or Vietnam Railway Sector in Ha Noi area can use this new service.

It takes only 5 seconds for users (both fixed and mobile subscribers) to access to this new system (not counting the time of dialing numbers). The way of phoning is carried out as following:

- With subscribers of Vietnam Post and Telecommunication Corporation, please phone to number 7.470.303.

- After hearing a ringing tone (users can hear instruction or not), please dial inner number you need to phone, 2.000 for example.

PV (Railway Newspaper No 553; July 2, 2002)

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Fare on North - South railway line increases from July 1

According to news from Vietnam Railways; from July 1, 2002; fare on North - South railway line increased from 2% to 5% compared to previous fare. For example, the highest fare applied to 30-hour trains (named E1/2) increased from VND 758,000 to VND 796,000 and this number increased from VND 758,000 to VND 774,000 with 32-hour trains (named S1/2). This was regular fare adjustment in conformity with Railway sector's expense on train-running work and decision on increasing passenger insurance fee from VND 300 to VND 500 per ticket made by the Ministry of Finance.

Earlier, Railway sector had decision on reducing 30% fare with one-way tickets and this number was 50% with return tickets from June 28, 2002 to July 25, 2002 for all candidates attending the entrance exam to professional Colleges and Universities.

Nguyen Huong (Communication and Transport newspaper No 26; July 1, 2002)

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Production and business results in 6 months of Railway sector

Although Railway sector has to face with many difficulties in competing with other means of transport but production and business results in the first 6 months of 2002 is quite high thanks to the efforts made by railway staffs:

- Freight transport is 3.4 million tonnes, an increase of 13.3% in comparison to the same period of last year.

- The number of passengers transported by Railway sector is 5.2 million, an increase of 0.4% in comparison to the same period of last year.

- Total turnover from transport is VND 724 billion, up 11.9%; of which turnover from freight and passenger transport increases 15.6% and 10.5%, respectively.

Besides, some other targets are also obtained with high results; of which 5 main types of goods have growth level from 5% to 142%; freight transported from North to South and vice versa increases 9% and 31%, respectively. Goods imported via international railway increase 11.2% compared to the same period of last year.

Railway sector attracts more passengers - especially at Lunar New Year, Hue festival and summer holiday - due to better service quality. One of outstanding point is the operation of 30-hour North - South passenger trains from May 31.

Train-running safety is ensured, no serious accidents happen. Railway sector concentrates on investing in infrastructure at level crossings such as colour light signals, automatic warning signals, warning bells, etc. These equipment contribute much to prevent railway accidents.

Regarding industrial production; total turnover is VND 209 billion, of which VND 195.4 billion gained by independent industrial block. Three typical enterprises in industrial block are Gia Lam Workshop, Di An Railway Carriage Factory and Hai Phong Railway Carriage Factory. They make 57 new coaches in time for the use of 30-hour train service.

Stone producing block manufactures 380,445 cubic meter macadam of different types, up 35%, and ensures living standard of its staffs.

Mechanic factories, Railway rubber factory provide concrete sleeper accessories of correct type and satisfying the technical standard of work.

The total turnover of construction and assembly block is VND 295.8 billion, an increase of 147% compared to the same period of last year.

Railway infrastructure block pays much attention to overhaul and maintain bridges and roads with a view to ensuring train-running speed as well as actively supporting accident prevention.

The result of disbursement work is one of outstanding point in the past time. This work receive the care of units at different levels. VND 40.5 billion from Development Investment Fund is disbursed in the first 6 months of 2002.

The total turnover of service - tourism block is VND 300.3 billion; an increase of 9.39% compared to the same period of last year; of which logistics block, transport service block and tourism block increase 19.2%, 2% and 3.9%, respectively.

The above-mentioned results are an encouragement for Railway staffs to fulfill their tasks in 6 remaining months of 2002.

PV (Railway Newspaper No 552; June 25, 2002)

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Passenger service program of Ha Noi Railway Station in summer 2002

The number of passengers served by Ha Noi Railway Station in the first 5 months of 2002 was 879,329 people, an increase of 11.9% in comparison to the same period of last year. Especially in May, the number of passengers increased 16.4%. Total turnover from passenger transport in 5 months was VND 113 billion 726 million.

Mr Tran Quoc Dat - head of Ha Noi Railway Station - said that: From May 31, Ha Noi Railway Station had suitable train-running programs aimed at better meeting the travel demand of passengers in summer 2002. In addition to 6 North - South train couples run everyday, Ha Noi Railway Station actively co-ordinated with relevant units on 5 regional railway lines in the North to form more trains and add more coaches when necessary. Besides agents served tickets to home for passengers, 30 ticket windows are opened at Ha Noi Railway Station. Regular tickets and return tickets are sold many days in advance for passengers coming to Hue, Da Nang, Nha Trang, Sai Gon, Vinh, Lao Cai, Hai Phong. Ha Noi Railway Station also brought tickets to universities which had many students using trains as a means of transport and provided them with fare-reduction cards. From beginning of the year to date, Ha Noi Railway Station granted 39,500 fare-reduction cards for students at universities.

T.T (Communication and Transport Newspaper No 51; June 25, 2002)

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Railway Tradition Monument at Da Nang Station inaugurated

Implementing Decision No 232/ÐS-KHÐT dated March 1, 2002 and Deed No 367-KHDT dated March 11, 2002 of Vietnam Railways, Railway Union II received a steam locomotive to build "Railway Tradition Monument" at Da Nang Station. This monument was commenced on May 25, 2002 and after one month of construction, it was formally inaugurated on June 22, 2002.

Present at the inauguration ceremony were Mr Dao Dinh Binh - Party Central Committee member, a delegate of National Assembly session XI, Vice Minister of the Ministry of Transport, Director General of Vietnam Railways - and other heads of Departments of Vietnam Railways; Railway Union I, II, III as well as representatives of Da Nang city.

Earlier, the first Railway Tradition Monument was officially inaugurated on May 22 at Sai Gon Railway Station. The following monuments would be built at the stations of Hue, Nha Trang, Ha Noi, respectively.

PV (Railway Newspaper No 552; June 25, 2002)

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Society and passengers receive what from automatically ticket selling system?

Automatically ticket selling system which is connected to 10 stations on North - South railway line has been put into use for nearly 1 year. During this time, it is likely that railway sector gains experiences in using the system. At the same time, passengers have different opinions on the advantages and disadvantages of this system.

The great advantage of automatically ticket selling system is much proved in selling tickets at previous Tet festival. For the first time, tickets are sold 2 months in advance. Passengers can buy tickets for their departure station at other stations (in 10 connected railway stations). The average time of buying, exchanging or giving tickets back is shorter.

The information related to trains, the number of vacant seat is displayed on "touch screen" of automatically ticket selling system. By touching the keys, passengers can know these information.

Automatically ticket selling system has been used for a long time in developed countries and regional ones. With our country, this activity brings benefit both to Railway sector and society. Railway sector spends nearly VND 20 billion in applying automatically ticket selling system and tries to keep the current fare.

By applying automatically ticket selling system, it is easier for Railway sector to have more suitable plans of locomotives, rolling stock, servers in trains and other service.

Another important aspect is that through the use of automatically ticket selling system, Railway sector has a number of scientific cadre line-up to meet the demand of the work. The informatics level of staffs in center part and 10 connected stations is much improved.

From these results, Railway sector has decided to expand automatically ticket selling system in 13 remaining stations on North - South railway line (phase II) and entrusted Railway Union III with responsibility of a main investor.

Nguyen Thuy Anh (Railway Newspaper No 551; June 18, 2002)

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Sai Gon - Nha Trang high quality trains to be put into operation

With suitable itinerary and nice service, SN1/2 Sai Gon - Nha Trang local trains actually attract the interest of tourists. Revenue in this railway line is VND 2,5 billion per month.

Vietnam Railways has a decision on allowing Railway Union III to upgrade and turn SN1/2 passenger trains into high quality trains with a view to improving service quality and revenue from passenger transport.

Artificial heating system is installed in Sai Gon - Nha Trang high quality trains, soft berth and hard berth cars are air-conditioned. The quality of interior in each car is equal to cars generation 2 of North - South passenger trains. It is scheduled that Sai Gon - Nha Trang high quality trains will be put into operation in July, 2002.

P.V (Railway Newspaper No 500; June 11, 2002)

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30-hour North - South train chart announced

Ha Noi - Lao Cai high quality express trains start operation

From May 6, 2002; Ha Noi - Lao Cai and Lao Cai - Ha Noi high quality express trains (named L5,6) were put into operation by Vietnam Railways. Each train had 8 cars including 2 soft berth cars, 2 hard berth cars, 1 soft seat car (double-deck car), 1 hard seat car, 1 buffet car and 1 baggage car.

Air-conditioners were installed in soft and hard berth cars, soft seat car as well as buffet car. Besides, there were automatically-boilt kettles in these cars for the individual demand of passengers. The installation of fresh air transmission system (applied the first time with 2,500 cubic metre were transmitted per hour) in hard seat cars was suitable for passengers who got used to air-conditioner cars.

The running time from Ha Noi to Lao Cai and vice versa of these trains was 7 hours 45 minutes, 1 hour less in comparison to other regular trains. Vietnam Railways also had suitable train-running for tourists to Sapa; especially at the weekend, holiday and Tet festival.

Nguyen Huong (Ban duong Newspaper No 19; May 13, 2002)

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Vietnam Railways on the way to integration and development

In National Communication and Transport system, Vietnam Railways came into being later than road sector and waterway sector but it quickly plays an important role in transporting passengers and cargo (especially in transporting passengers in urban area, long distance, container, inter-area cargo, etc).

The first railway line between Sai Gon and My Tho was built in 1881 and completed in 1885. To date, the National railway network of Vietnam includes 7 main railway lines with a total length of 3.144 km. With vital function of railway transport system is to connect transport modes, railway sector plays an important part in forming multi-transport mode system.

It is necessary to manage well the business activities of Vietnam Railways so that Vietnam Railways can integrate into international and regional railway as well as improve its role in National economy.

For the first thing; the investment and development target of railway transport is improving transport density, both passengers and cargo; upgrading and reconstructing current railway network; applying advanced technology; building urban railway in big cities and economic centers; participating in common telecommunications market; developing its own industry, etc.

In the 120-year development process, all 7 main railway lines haven't satisfied technical standard of railway sector due to the impacts of war and disaster. Furthermore, some new railway lines in National railway network need to be expanded to meet the demand of economic development; especially in Mekong river delta, Central Highlands, etc.

One of vital work is building urban railway system (firstly for transporting passengers in Hanoi and Hochiminh city) and maintaining international transport relation with a view to expanding tourism activities and international trade via 2 current international railway lines with China and coming railway lines with Lao and Cambodia.

Responding to the proposal of the Ministry of Transport and assessor opinion of the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Prime Minister signed Vietnam Railways development scheme to 2002 (decision No 06/2002/QÐ-TTg January 7th, 2002) with some important contents to establish development scheme for Vietnam Railways in the future.

To carry out set target in the above scheme, Vietnam Railways must have VND 98,051 billion to invest in railway infrastructure (of which VND 23,53 billion is for 2001-2010 period) and VND 62,870 billion to develop transport business (including the investment for industry block, importing locomotives and synchronous line to overhaul Diesel locomotives, strongly applying advanced technology). The Ministry of Transport submits medium and long-term projects as well as proposals of calling funds, policies of calling funds, using funds and the sources of each project to the Prime Minister. The aim of these works is to ensure the sustainable development of Vietnam Railways.

Main solutions and policies are:

Firstly, it is necessary to concentrate funds and sources on main projects. The policies of calling funds must be more free, including the rights of borrowing funds from development assistance fund or other credit sources to develop infrastructure, renew means of transport or specific-purposes equipment and apply the advancement of science and technology.

Secondly, the Government need have assistance policies as common socio-economic development target in terms of subsidy, fare rate adjustment in non-profit railway lines to maintain the activities of them.

Thirdly, regarding material and technical facilities as well as the current contribution of Vietnam Railways, it is clear that Vietnam Railways is playing a very important part in socio-economic development and maintaining political stability, national defence and security. Over 10 years of implementing "renewal policy" of the Party and Government; mechanism policy applied in railway sector is old mechanism, both State- oriented and market-oriented. For this reason, it is necessary for Vietnam Railways to set up organization system as the model of State Corporation to carry out Central Resolution No 3, term IX on effective renewal and development in State-owned Enterprises. Besides, the Ministry of Planning and Investment, the Ministry of Finance and other relevant bodies take charge of co-ordinately implementing issues relating to this scheme.

Nguyen Huu Vinh (Green Road Newspaper No 3, 2002)