Vietnam’s north-to-south trains soon back to full operation

Nearly three months ago on March 20, 2016, the Ghenh railway bridge located in the southern province of Dong Nai was hit by a passing barge and collapsed, causing mass interruption to many train routes.

Trains heading toward Ho Chi Minh City from Hanoi have had to stop at Bien Hoa Railway Station in Dong Nai, while those going in the opposite direction have not been able to go further than Song Than Station in the southern province of Binh Duong.

The Ghenh bridge in Dong Nai Province is being repaired.

Since the incident, many agencies have been involved in the repair of the bridge and restoration of train operations.

During the repair process, multiple solutions have been implemented such as a shuttle bus service from Song Than Station to Dong Nai.

“Thankfully, the inconvenience caused by the collapse of the bridge will end soon,” Do Quang Van, branch director of Saigon Railways Transport Company, said on June 14, confirming that the Ghenh bridge is scheduled to be put back into service on June 26.

According to Van, all routes named TN1, SE3, SE1, SE7 and SE5 will depart from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City on June 24 and June 25.

The train SNT1 from the south-central city of Nha Trang and SE25 from the central province of Quang Ngai to Ho Chi Minh City will also commence running on June 25.

All trains departing Saigon Station will be able to re-operate on June 26, and departure times will be put back one hour, according to Van.