CONINCO Chairman joins High-Level delegation from Ministry of Construction to Europe and Russian Federation: Laying Foundations for Mega projects and Future cooperation strategies

In the trend of development and international integration, mastering technology and perfecting technical standards systems are key factors for successfully implementing large-scale, nationally significant projects. Recognizing the profound importance of this, from September 13 to 22, 2025, Chairman of the Board Phan Ngoc Cuong represented Vietnam's leading consulting firm in a working trip to the Republic of France, the Kingdom of Belgium, and the Russian Federation, alongside a high-level delegation from the Ministry of Construction led by Vice Minister Pham Minh Ha. The trip affirmed CONINCO's proactive role and pioneering position in accessing, learning from experiences, and expanding international cooperation to prepare for the nation's major missions. The delegation also included leaders from policy-making agencies, leading research institutes, key universities, and several major Vietnamese construction corporations.
The working trip was a strategic step oriented toward three core objectives: accessing international experiences in complex infrastructure fields such as nuclear energy and high-speed rail; in-depth research on advanced technical standards systems; and laying the groundwork for high-quality human resource training cooperation.

Accessing Nuclear Power Technology: Foundation for Sustainable Energy Securit

To meet the growing energy demands for industrialization and modernization, researching clean, high-tech energy sources like nuclear power is an inevitable step. As part of the trip, the delegation held in-depth working sessions with world-leading reputable organizations: the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) and the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM).

On the morning of September 15 in Paris, with the participation of Mr. Dinh Toan Thang, Vietnamese Ambassador to France, the delegation had a key working session with the French Nuclear Safety and Radiation Protection Authority (ASNR) – an independent administrative body playing a crucial role in ensuring the highest nuclear safety standards. Welcoming the delegation from ASNR were Ms. Stéphanie Guenot Bresson, Member of the Leadership Board; Mr. Julien Collet, Deputy Permanent Head, in charge of standard compilation; and Ms. Marilyn Tombette, in charge of international cooperation.

The session focused on licensing processes and procedures, construction standards systems, and stringent legal regulations to ensure absolute safety for a nuclear power plant. For CONINCO, this was a golden opportunity to absorb and compare its independent quality management and supervision processes with the world's most rigorous requirements in the nuclear field. Gaining a thorough understanding of technology requirements and management capabilities from a leading regulatory body like ASNR helped CONINCO more clearly define its role and responsibilities as a consulting unit, preparing a solid foundation to provide high-tech consulting services that meet absolute safety standards for the nation's future nuclear power projects.

Continuing the program in Moscow (Russian Federation), the delegation held a working session with the Russian State Atomic Energy Corporation (ROSATOM) – the only corporation in the world possessing full technology across the entire nuclear fuel chain and a global leader in the number of foreign nuclear power plant construction projects. Discussions focused on investment sequences and construction management, specific legal regulations and technical standards, along with practical recommendations for surveying, design, and selection of specialized construction materials.

In parallel with the delegation's working program, Chairman of the Board Phan Ngoc Cuong also directly exchanged with leading corporations in France and Russia to delve deeper into technical requirements, technology, and management capabilities in quality management and nuclear power plant operations; simultaneously opening opportunities for cooperation between CONINCO and strategic partners, preparing the foundation to provide high-quality consulting services for the nation's future nuclear power projects.

Perfecting standards and regulations system – Key to high-speed rail mega project

A nation's development always goes hand in hand with the level of completeness of its transportation infrastructure system. To successfully implement the "mega project" of high-speed rail, the prerequisite is to master a synchronized technical standards system harmonized with the world.

In Paris, the key working session with the French National Railway Company (SNCF), operator of the famous TGV high-speed train system, delved into technological aspects, state management models, the role of consulting units throughout the project lifecycle, and especially the construction standards system applied to complex infrastructure structures. In addition to official working sessions, Chairman of the Board Phan Ngoc Cuong proactively met with leading railway corporations to exchange in-depth on quality management experiences, construction supervision, and operations of high-speed rail projects, as well as future cooperation opportunities.

The stop in Brussels (Kingdom of Belgium) held special significance as the delegation worked directly with the European Committee for Standardization (CEN), the "heart" of the European Standards system (EN - Eurocodes) widely recognized globally. Welcoming the delegation from CEN/CENELEC were Ms. Adreea Gulasi, Director of Policy and External Affairs; Ms. Elker Martens, Manager of European and International Policy Projects; Mr. Casper Van Herzele, Manager of Construction Standardization Projects; Mr. Thierry Legrand, Manager of Transportation Standardization Clients; and colleagues. Here, the delegation learned about management experiences, harmonization of common standards with each country's regulations, and proposed cooperation in expert training and technical support to convert and apply the EN system in Vietnam.

As a leading consulting unit, CONINCO is deeply aware that mastering and pioneering the application of Eurocodes standards will be a superior competitive advantage. This is not only technical preparation but also an important foundation for CONINCO to have sufficient capacity to participate in consulting for the North-South high-speed rail project in a systematic, effective manner compatible with the highest international standards.

Building a Sustainable Foundation: Synchronizing Standards and Training High-Quality Human Resources

A truly strategic vision not only focuses on specific projects but also builds long-term foundational elements: a coherent national standards system and a successor workforce capable of mastering technology. These were the two key contents in the delegation's working program at the Russian Federal Agency on Technical Regulating and Metrology (Rosstandart) and Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (MGSU).

On September 18 in Moscow (Russian Federation), with the attendance of representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in the Russian Federation, the delegation held a working session with the Russian Federal Agency on Technical Regulating and Metrology (Rosstandart) – the agency playing a pivotal role in Russia's national standards and metrology system, with functions including developing and managing the national standards system (GOST - GOST R); appraising draft standards, and supervising compliance with mandatory technical regulations.

Welcoming the delegation from Rosstandart were Mr. Anton Shalaev, Executive Director; Mr. Andrei Kopytin, Expert on Standards in Construction; Mr. Denis Pavlov, expert on construction standards specialized in nuclear; and Ms. Arina Phedorovskaia, in charge of external affairs.

Here, the delegation grasped experiences in synchronizing the national standards system with international ones, especially the reputable GOST standards system, contributing to perfecting the standards reference system for complex projects in Vietnam; simultaneously opening broader cooperation programs in research, training, and converting Russia's construction standards system for Vietnam.

The working session with Moscow State University of Civil Engineering (MGSU) on the morning of September 20 was a highlight, demonstrating the vision of investing in people – the decisive factor for sustainable development. Exchanges focused on promoting high-quality human resource training cooperation programs, opening opportunities for expert exchanges, updating teaching curricula, and joint scientific research.

Strategic Imprint of CONINCO from the Europe and Russian Federation Working Trip

The working trip was not only an economic diplomatic activity but also showcased a comprehensive picture of the efforts by the Ministry of Construction and leading enterprises like CONINCO to elevate Vietnam's construction industry. From understanding the nuclear safety legal framework of ASNR, exploring ROSATOM's comprehensive technology cycle, analyzing SNCF's operational model, to mastering the standards foundations of CEN and Rosstandart, these provide important bases for CONINCO to continue researching and perfecting its quality management processes. The trip is a necessary preparation for CONINCO to offer consulting solutions that better meet the world's safety and efficiency standards in the future; simultaneously opening potential cooperation channels with leading international partners, creating opportunities for expert exchanges and access to new technologies.

The working trip to Europe and the Russian Federation has concluded, but the values it brings are the beginning of a new development phase, a strong motivation for CONINCO to continue steadfastly on the path to conquering new heights. With a solid foundation nurtured from international experiences, CONINCO is ready to participate in complex and large-scale projects, making practical contributions to the nation's industrialization and modernization.