At the VRT&CON 2026 International Exhibition and Conference, an FPT Corporation representative emphasized that railway technology transfer must go hand in hand with workforce development, operational and maintenance capabilities, and domestic research. This approach will lay the foundation for Vietnam to progressively master railway technologies and develop a sustainable railway industry.
VRT&CON 2026, the second International Exhibition and Conference on Modern Railway Technology and Infrastructure Construction Supply Chains in Vietnam, brought together more than 200 domestic and international organizations and businesses. The event provided a platform for discussions on railway technology solutions, international cooperation, technology transfer, workforce development, and supply chain development.
During the thematic session on “Signaling, Control, and System Security,” Mr. Oscar Wong, Chief Technology Officer of FPT Railway Mobility Technology (FPT RMT), FPT Corporation, delivered a presentation titled “Key Considerations for Technology Transfer in Vietnam’s Railway Projects.”
Technology Transfer Must Deliver Long-Term Value
As Vietnam accelerates high-speed rail projects, develops the national railway network, and expands urban rail systems, technology selection and transfer must address not only immediate construction and operational needs but also long-term requirements for system operation, maintenance, and development.
According to Mr. Oscar Wong, railway technology transfer should be evaluated from multiple perspectives, including investment efficiency, suitability for local conditions, and the potential to develop domestic technical capabilities.
The objective is not simply to acquire advanced technology systems but also to enable Vietnamese engineers and businesses to progressively take on greater roles in operating, maintaining, and developing these technologies.
Mr. Oscar Wong, Chief Technology Officer of FPT Railway Mobility Technology (FPT RMT), FPT Corporation, speaks during the conference session.The FPT representative identified eight key factors to consider when selecting a technology transfer approach: technological autonomy in operations and development, system interoperability, depth of knowledge transfer, intellectual property rights, technology maturity, lifecycle costs, localization potential, and the ability to develop a domestic railway industry ecosystem.
Among these factors, interoperability is particularly important as Vietnam simultaneously develops high-speed rail, national railway, and urban rail networks. Technology selection should account for future connectivity, system integration, and scalability while meeting technical standards and operational safety requirements.
Economic efficiency must also be assessed across the entire technology lifecycle, including initial investment, operations, maintenance, technical support, and upgrades. This approach provides project owners with a more comprehensive understanding of resource efficiency rather than focusing solely on initial procurement and deployment costs.
The FPT representative also highlighted the importance of transferring technical knowledge and expertise. Technology transfer should be accompanied by structured training programs, hands-on instruction, and professional capability development, enabling Vietnamese teams to adopt and apply technologies effectively under local operating conditions.
Building Domestic Capabilities from Operations and Maintenance to Technology Research
To ensure technology transfer delivers lasting value, Mr. Oscar Wong proposed an approach built around three capability areas: industrial localization, operations and maintenance technologies, and specialized railway technologies.
The first area focuses on industrial localization. Developing capabilities in rolling stock assembly and repair, component manufacturing, electrical and electronic equipment production, and auxiliary systems can create additional opportunities for Vietnamese businesses to participate in railway supply chains.
This process can also help establish a skilled technical workforce and domestic manufacturing capabilities to support Vietnam’s railway industry.
The second area covers operations and maintenance technologies, including asset management systems, equipment monitoring, data analytics, predictive maintenance, and Digital Twin applications.
These solutions enable railway operators to monitor equipment conditions, detect early signs of abnormalities, plan maintenance activities, and improve operational management efficiency.
The third area involves specialized railway technologies, such as signaling, train control, communications, traffic management, and system integration.
In these fields, technology adoption must be accompanied by the development of technical expertise, research and testing capabilities, and compliance with safety standards.
According to the FPT representative, Vietnam can adopt different technology transfer models depending on project characteristics and domestic absorption capabilities. These may range from technology acquisition and improvement to licensed manufacturing and joint research and solution development with international partners.
Selecting an appropriate model will allow Vietnamese businesses to gradually accumulate experience and strengthen technological capabilities.
Mr. Wong particularly emphasized the importance of human resources and coordination among stakeholders across the railway ecosystem.
Alongside regulatory authorities, project owners, and railway operators, technology companies, universities, and research institutes can contribute to training, research, testing, and the development of solutions tailored to practical needs.
Under the proposed approach, railway technology capabilities should be developed in stages, beginning with the establishment of technical foundations, workforce training, and stronger technology absorption capabilities, before progressing toward domestic research, manufacturing, and solution development.
Cooperation with international partners will remain essential for accessing expertise, advanced technologies, and international standards.
For FPT, the company established FPT Railway Mobility Technology (FPT RMT) as a strategic technology unit in late 2025, with a focus on researching and developing solutions for railway systems and intelligent transportation.
Building on experience in software development, data, automation, and system integration, FPT aims to contribute to the development of Vietnam’s railway technology ecosystem through research and cooperation with domestic and international partners.
Through the presentation at VRT&CON 2026, the FPT representative reaffirmed the importance of linking technology transfer with the development of domestic capabilities to absorb and apply new technologies.
When technology transfer is supported by workforce training, research, and the participation of Vietnamese businesses, railway projects can do more than modernize transportation infrastructure. They can also create long-term opportunities to strengthen Vietnam’s technological capabilities and develop a sustainable domestic railway industry.