ETEK, VNU AND HANOI METRO SIGN TRIPARTITE COOPERATION AGREEMENT TO ADVANCE URBAN RAILWAY TECHNOLOGY IN VIETNAM

On August 14, 2026, the Institute of Information Technology – Vietnam National University, Hanoi (VNU), ETEK Automation Solutions JSC, and Hanoi Railway One Member Co., Ltd. (Hanoi Metro) officially signed a tripartite cooperation agreement on research, design, and experimental development of technology solutions for urban railway systems.

The signing ceremony was attended and witnessed by Mr. Bui The Duy, Alternate Member of the Party Central Committee and President of VNU, together with key leaders from the three organizations:

Prof. Dr. Tran Xuan Tu – Director of the Institute of Information Technology, VNU
Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dat – Chairman of the Board of Directors, ETEK Automation Solutions JSC
Mr. Le Bang An – General Director, Hanoi Metro

Connecting research, technology and real-world operations

Urban railway is a highly demanding industry, requiring precision, safety, reliability, and strong technological capabilities. By bringing together VNU's research expertise, ETEK's engineering and manufacturing capabilities, and Hanoi Metro's practical operational experience, the partnership establishes a strong foundation for turning scientific research into applicable technological solutions.

Under the agreement, each partner will contribute its core strengths:

Hanoi Metro will provide real-world operational requirements, technical and safety criteria, field access, and support for evaluating the feasibility of solutions in actual railway operations.
ETEK will contribute its expertise in mechanical and electrical design, manufacturing, hardware integration, and testing, helping transform technological concepts into practical and deployable solutions.
The Institute of Information Technology – VNU will focus on scientific research, algorithm development, control software, technology evaluation, and system integration support.

Advancing the Localization of Urban Railway Technologies

In the initial phase, Hanoi Metro, ETEK, and VNU will focus on researching, testing, and evaluating auxiliary solutions for urban railway systems, including monitoring and control systems, platform screen doors, and other automation equipment.

The cooperation aims to create long-term value through three key directions:

Strengthening technological self-reliance: Reducing dependence on imported technologies, systems, and components while developing locally engineered alternatives.
Optimizing maintenance and lifecycle costs: Enhancing local capabilities in maintenance, repair, component replacement, and technology development to improve cost efficiency.
Working toward international standards: Beyond meeting domestic needs, the “Make in Vietnam” solutions will be developed with the ambition of meeting demanding technical standards and gradually expanding into regional markets.

Voices from the Leaders: Turning the “Make in Vietnam” Vision into Reality

At the signing ceremony, leaders from all three organizations highlighted their shared commitment to translating scientific knowledge and technological capabilities into practical solutions that deliver economic and social value.

“Building on our experience in digital transformation and our ongoing efforts to strengthen technological self-reliance in operations, we expect our cooperation with VNU and ETEK to go beyond the development of specific products. It will also create opportunities for research, training, and technology development, contributing to greater technological self-reliance and a stronger talent pool for Vietnam’s urban railway sector.”
— Mr. Le Bang An, General Director of Hanoi Metro

“ETEK is committed to bringing its engineering and technological capabilities to sectors with demanding technical requirements. Vietnam has tremendous potential in its scientific community. The collaboration between research institutions, technology manufacturers, and operators can serve as a bridge between knowledge and real-world applications, creating products not only for Vietnam but also with the potential to reach international markets.”
— Mr. Nguyen Quoc Dat, Chairman of ETEK’s Board of Directors

“With its strengths in education and accumulated intellectual assets, the Institute of Information Technology aims to accelerate the transfer of knowledge into practical products that serve the country. This cooperation marks an important starting point for our researchers to work closely with ETEK and Hanoi Metro in developing technology solutions under the ‘Make in Vietnam’ spirit.”
— Prof. Dr. Tran Xuan Tu, Director of the Institute of Information Technology, VNU

Connecting Research with High-Quality Railway Talent Development

A key strategic focus of the cooperation is to establish a closer connection between applied research and talent development, creating opportunities for knowledge and real-world industry challenges to move in both directions.

Bringing real-world challenges into academia: Technical challenges and operational requirements from Hanoi Metro can serve as the basis for research projects, graduation theses, and advanced studies for students, master’s candidates, and PhD researchers at VNU.
Creating practical environments for researchers: Faculty members and researchers from the Institute of Information Technology will have opportunities to engage directly with real urban railway systems, strengthening practical knowledge and accelerating applied research.
Developing specialized talent: The cooperation will contribute to developing highly skilled engineers in transportation technology and automation, preparing the next generation of professionals for future metro and high-speed railway projects in Vietnam.

The cooperation between VNU, ETEK, and Hanoi Metro therefore goes beyond a conventional academic or commercial partnership. It represents a collaborative model that brings together research, technology, operations, and talent development to strengthen Vietnam’s technological self-reliance.

By advancing capabilities across the entire technology chain — from system design and hardware manufacturing to control software development — the partnership aims to contribute to modern, sustainable urban transport infrastructure and strengthen the foundation for “Make in Vietnam” technology solutions.