THACO & Hyundai Rotem: Delivering comprehensive solutions for Vietnam's rail infrastructure

From October 8 to 10, 2026, at the Vietnam Exhibition Center in Hanoi, THACO and Hyundai Rotem showcased products, technologies, and solutions for developing the rail industry at the International Exhibition & Summit on Modern Railway Technology and Infrastructure Construction Supply Chain in Vietnam (VRT&CON' 2026).

VRT&CON' 2026 brought together technology companies, construction contractors, Vietnamese and international partners. The event featured more than 200 organizations, corporations, and businesses, with nearly 200 booths spread across 10,000 square meters, displaying technology, equipment, and solutions for building modern rail systems.

Presenting a full range of rail solutions

Under the theme "THACO & Hyundai Rotem – Delivering Comprehensive Solutions for Vietnam's Rail Infrastructure," the booth covers solutions from infrastructure, locomotives and rolling stock, and electromechanical (E&M) systems to operations and maintenance, as well as transit-oriented development (TOD). THACO sees its Rail and Multi-Purpose Mechanical Engineering Complex at the Binh Co Industrial Park (Ho Chi Minh City) as a manufacturing, technology receiving, and localization hub for the rail industry

Through its partnership with Hyundai Rotem and other international partners, THACO aims to receive technology transfer and gradually become self-reliant in producing core equipment, components, and structures, while securing its own supply of materials and spare parts to help reduce operating costs over the long term.

Gradually mastering rolling stock manufacturing technology

At the exhibition, THACO and Hyundai Rotem presented models of urban trains and high-speed trains, a smart train control system, and a virtual reality (VR) experience of train interiors.

One of the main exhibits is an urban train car model built for standard 1,435 mm gauge track. Displayed items include the body shell frame along with interior components including passenger seats, handrails, ceiling grab handles, side wall panels, and ceiling panels; and exterior components such as inter-car doors, window glass, side door glass, the HVAC system, and the bogie.

THACO also displayed a cross-section of the aluminum profile body shell frame alongside simulated images of the interior, showing where and how aluminum profiles are used in building train car frames.

Under the cooperation plan, Hyundai Rotem will transfer technology, train THACO engineers in South Korea, and provide hands-on training during production, assembly, testing, and quality control in Vietnam.

At its THACO Binh Co Industrial Park in Ho Chi Minh City, it is developing a 320-hectare Rail and Multi-Purpose Mechanical Engineering Complex. Between 2026 and 2027, THACO focuses on building the core foundation, receiving technology transfer, and researching production of interior and exterior components and aluminum profiles. By 2028, the corporation expects to complete technology transfer and begin localized production and full assembly of locomotives and rolling stock.

Aluminum profiles for rolling stock

THACO is presenting aluminum profiles for rolling stock, used in car body structures, underframes, load-bearing beams, bogie systems, underfloor equipment, interior structures, and passenger doors. A standout feature is the box profile, with multiple walls and reinforcing ribs built in, which optimizes the structure, improves resistance to bending and longitudinal forces, and cuts weight compared with traditional materials.

To meet the rail industry's technical requirements, THACO focuses on modern aluminum casting and extrusion technology, aiming to master the technology and boost its ability to produce high-precision aluminum profiles, helping raise localization rates in the rail supply chain. The corporation is also expanding applications to industries such as automotive, construction, shipbuilding, electrical-electronics, and high technology, developing a wide range of high-tech mechanical products.

Smart station operation solutions

THACO presented automatic ticket gates alongside AMR robots for carrying luggage. The ticket gates receive ticket verification results to open and close, direct passenger flow, and effectively block unauthorized entry. The system supports verification by facial recognition, QR code, RFID card, and fingerprint, able to handle 30 people per minute.

The Autonomous Mobile Robot (AMR), developed by THACO, uses Simultaneous Localization and Mapping (SLAM) technology combined with a 2D LIDAR sensor, bumper, 3D camera, and emergency stop (E-stop) button to automatically detect and avoid obstacles. It runs on a lithium battery, finds its own way to charging stations, and supports 24/7 operation, with each charge lasting 6 to 8 hours.

Raising localization of rail equipment

In mechanical engineering and infrastructure equipment, THACO presented models of tunnel boring machines (TBM), railway turnout systems, girder launchers, and a range of mechanical components.

For TBMs, THACO is gradually localizing mechanical parts, steel structures, and auxiliary systems such as gantry steel structures, soil conveyors, hydraulic piping systems, tanks, and wagons for carrying tunnel segments and slurry, while building capacity for full assembly and test runs before factory rollout.

For rail turnout systems, THACO focuses on R&D activities to master the entire production process for localization. For girder launchers, THACO is developing 50-to-300-ton lifting equipment, suited to different beam types and spans.

Through VRT&CON' 2026, THACO and Hyundai Rotem have presented their long-term vision for rail ecosystem development that links technology, manufacturing, equipment supply, and operational solutions. It also gives THACO a basis to expand its partner network, build a supplier system for the Rail and Multi-Purpose Mechanical Engineering Complex at the Binh Co Industrial Park (Ho Chi Minh City), raise localization rates, and gradually establish its role as an industrial partner in the rail value chain in Vietnam and the region.