Vietnam Defense and News forum

[Viet]

Laos–Vietnam Railway Construction to Begin in 2026, Operations Targeted for 2030​

December 7, 2025
By Phontham Visapra

This image is used only for representational purpose


Construction of the first railway linking Laos and Vietnam is scheduled to begin in 2026, with the line expected to become operational by 2030, officials announced at the Lao–Vietnam Investment Promotion Conference 2025 in Vientiane on 3 December.

The strategic route will connect Vientiane to Vietnam’s Vung Ang Port, giving Laos critical access to maritime trade routes for the first time. The project is being implemented as a public–private partnership between Petroleum Trading Lao Public Company (PTL) and Vietnam’s Deo Ca Group JSC.

PTL Founder and Director-General Chanthone Sitthixay said Laos has completed about 90 percent of preparatory work, including fundraising, feasibility studies, site surveys, design, and environmental assessments. Construction on the Lao section is scheduled to begin in 2026.

Vietnam is currently conducting economic evaluations and initial design work, with its construction phase set to start in 2027. Both governments aim to complete the railway and commence operations by 2030.

The line will cover 452 kilometres within Laos and 119 kilometres in Vietnam, terminating at Vung Ang seaport in Ha Tinh province. The total investment is estimated at USD 6.6 billion.

The project also grants Laos priority access to Wharves No. 1, 2 and 3 at Vung Ang Port. Wharf No. 3, inaugurated on 28 April, can handle large cargo ships and process over two million tonnes of goods annually, raising the port’s total capacity to more than six million tonnes.

Officials say the railway is expected to boost regional logistics, reduce transport costs, and deepen economic cooperation between the two neighbouring states.

 

[Viet]

Microsoft Reportedly Boosting Xbox Production Output, Linked to Tentative Foxconn Vietnam Expansion​

by T0@st Friday, 17:17 Discuss (4 Comments)

Two days ago, a low-key Reuters news article described recent efforts made by Fushan Technology (a Foxconn subsidiary) and Luxshare-ICT (a Chinese firm) to expand games console production facilities in Vietnam. Insiders believe that Fushan Tech is seeking permission to bolster an existing plant—leaked documents, submitted to a local government body, mention a major manufacturing goal.

Once permitted, the Foxconn off-shoot supposedly wants to produce "up to 4.8 million Microsoft Xbox gaming devices (per annum), as well as "parts of the consoles, and other unspecified electromagnetic devices." Allegedly, Luxshare-ICT has lodged a similar request—pending a decision regarding an upgraded facility's annual "(up to) 4.5 million game consoles" production target.

Ongoing trade wars have caused manufacturers to pivot away from a traditional reliance on Chinese hubs. Instead, facilities located in nearby nations offer relief from severe tariffing. Jez Corden, of Windows Central fame, has weighed in on the topic of an alleged geopolitically-motivated change of plans at Microsoft's computer games division.

Availability of current-gen Xbox consoles has declined across a fair number of regions, with big name retail outlets no longer selling the big green brand. Corden noted a decline in hardware supplies: "posted nearly every quarter for the past couple of years. To make matters worse, (Xbox leadership) was forced to raise prices a few months ago, making the Xbox Series X, and in some cases, the less powerful Xbox Series S more expensive than some PS5 models. Tariffs have played a huge part in making Xbox Series X|S less competitive."

 

[Viet]

Not so quick. Vietnam is at least 10y behind of the Chinese in making human robots. maybe we can make cheaper if getting money and technology. interesting the projection, having 1 billion human robots by 2050.

Vietnam: Emerging Hub for Versatile Humanoid Robotics - OpenGov Asia

Vietnam is emerging as a key player in humanoid robotics, leveraging strengths in hardware, AI, software, research and safe deployment to advance versatile, autonomous, human-centred robotic systems.

opengovasia.com

 

[Viet]

a good deal. the belarussians sold drone reconnaissance technology, high-precision electric motors, batteries, special internal combustion engines, with a range of up to 4,000km to Vietnam. the army probably wants belarussian IFVs as well.

"The Great Arms Tour". What weapons could Lukashenka sell to Algeria, Vietnam, or Myanmar

Lukashenka's tour to Asia and Africa is hardly about the trade in milk powder and tractors. One of the main points may be the arms trade. But what kind? Belsat asked experts.

en.belsat.eu

 

[Viet]

Vietnam cinema week in Paris
How it is to introduce French as foreign language of choice.

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[Viet]

$690 billion all families wealth in the US combined not a single family

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[Viet]

Vietnam’s Strategic Signaling With USS Tripoli Heading to Đà Nẵng​

DEC 08, 2025​

A free and responsible foreign policy requires clarity, not confrontation
By: Khanh Vu Duc
As regional tensions sharpen and great-power competition deepens across the Western Pacific, even a single port call can speak louder than a dozen policy speeches. The expected arrival of the amphibious assault ship USS Tripoli in Đà Nẵng, where the 9th Marine Expeditionary Brigade arrived on March 8, 1965 …

Vietnam’s Strategic Signaling With USS Tripoli Heading to Đà Nẵng

A free and responsible foreign policy requires clarity, not confrontation

www.asiasentinel.com

 

[Viet]

Vietnam means serious with land reclamation eventually linking to Thailand via a direct land route. new technology makes it possible. high pressure hardens the ground 6x faster, without destroying marine environment, lowering the construction costs by 30 percent.

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[Viet]

Vietnam reportedly moving radars, guns and missiles to the Central Highlands makes Cambodia worry. radar coverage, missile targeting is better on a high ground.
even if the report is true, there is no reason to worry, most likely a precaution given the regional tensions.

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[Viet]

Geleximco, LeeKr launch strategic partnership to boost Vietnam's fast-growing EV sector​

Monika From Gasgoo| December 08 , 2025

Shanghai (Gasgoo)- LeeKr Technology, a rising Chinese supplier of intelligent chassis systems, recently signed a memorandum of understanding with Vietnam's Geleximco Group in Shanghai, marking the start of a strategic cooperation focused on advanced automotive chassis components. The companies plan to combine their respective strengths to accelerate the development of Vietnam's vehicle manufacturing sector, with a particular emphasis on the rapidly expanding new-energy vehicle (NEV) market.

Photo source: LeeKr

The agreement brings together China's advanced capabilities in automotive component manufacturing and Vietnam's growing industrial base. Both sides described the signing as the beginning of a long-term partnership that lays the groundwork for deeper industrial cooperation in the years ahead.

Vietnam's EV sector has surged since 2024, with market analysts projecting annual growth of 25% to 30% in 2025 and total sales potentially surpassing one million units by 2030. As one of Vietnam's most influential conglomerates, Geleximco has built strong capabilities in large-scale industrial investment and resource integration, and is now moving toward full vehicle manufacturing. In 2024, Geleximco partnered with Omoda & Jaecoo and China's Chery Group to invest US$319 million in a new plant in Thai Binh Province. The facility, designed for an annual capacity of 200,000 vehicles, is scheduled to begin operations in 2026.

LeeKr has quickly emerged as one of China's most promising suppliers in the intelligent chassis space. The company has built a full range of drive-by-wire products—including braking systems, steering systems, and domain controllers—and has established a robust quality-management framework. Its One-Box brake-by-wire solution has already entered large-scale production with major Chinese automakers such as Chery, SERES, and FAW, placing LeeKr among the top three Chinese suppliers in its segment in 2024. Chery, in particular, plays a dual role as both a key customer and a strategic investor, providing ongoing support for LeeKr's technology roadmap and market expansion.

The newly signed partnership is expected to strengthen the local supply chain for Geleximco's automotive ambitions while giving LeeKr a direct pathway into Vietnam's fast-growing EV market. Both companies said the collaboration will create mutual benefits by aligning Vietnam's industrial upgrade with China's technological strengths in intelligent chassis systems.

 

[Viet]

Missiles frigate 015 visits Hiroshima (Japan).

 

[Viet]

domestic made 6-barrel rattling gun (similar to American M134 rattling)

 

[Viet]

7.62mm caliber, firing rate 2,000-6,000 rpm, range 1,000m
interesting use cases

 

[Viet]

The gov chiefs of Vietnam, Cambodia open a new border gateway which will facilitate trades, investment, tourism between the two countries.
Ironic, on the same day few hundreds km away fighting escalates between Thailand and Cambodia. Trades, investment and tourism come down to 0.
Seems the Cambodians don’t care as long as they have good relationship to the Vietnamese.

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[Viet]

Vinspeed is chosen as contractor for Vietnam’s first ever HSR. Congrats. At least for the 54km southern section.
double-track 1,435mm gauge, fully electrified, speed 350 kmh
Interesting to see how the company will do it. Vietnam has never done any HSR before.

VinSpeed approved as investor of HCM City's Ben Thanh-Can Gio railway

The Ben Thanh–Can Gio railway project includes the construction of a double-track railway with a 1,435mm gauge, fully electrified, with a main line length of approximately 54.062 km, a designed speed of 350 km/h, and a load of 17 tonnes per axle.

en.vietnamplus.vn