The first railway line in Vietnam opened in 1881 between Saigon and Mytho, a distance of about 70km, but this line is no longer in use. The present day system consists of a network of metre gauge lines centred on the capital Ha Noi in the north of the country, together with a long but important main line linking the capital to Ho Chi Minh City, the major southern city formerly known as Saigon.
There is no physical connection with the railway system of any other country, but cross-border interchange with China Railways is possible, and feasibility studies are being udertaken for rail connections to Cambodia and Laos.
© 2005-2011
Glyn Williams
Flag image from CIA World Factbook
