Hyundai Rotem teams up with Vietnam’s THACO Group to unveil next-generation high-speed train model in Hanoi

【Hanoi, Vietnam—Correspondent Kim Jun-seok】Hyundai Rotem and Vietnam’s THACO Group unveiled a model of the EMU-370 high-speed train at the Vietnam International Exhibition and Conference on Modern Railway Technology and Construction Infrastructure Supply Chain (VRT&CON 2026) in Hanoi. The train is under development with a target commercial operating speed of 370 km/h.
According to local media on the 13th, Hyundai Rotem and THACO Group jointly took part in VRT&CON 2026, held in Hanoi from the 8th to the 10th, where they showcased a model of the EMU-370 high-speed train and demonstrated their high-speed rail technology.
The EMU-370 is regarded as a key model in Korea’s railway technology development program. According to specifications released by Hyundai Motor Group, the train will have eight cars per trainset, a total length of 200.1 meters and 479 seats. It is designed for a maximum operating speed of 370 km/h and a maximum design speed of 407 km/h.
One of the EMU-370’s key features is its aerodynamic design. To minimize air resistance at high speeds, the length of the train’s front section was extended by at least 10 meters, helping to reduce energy consumption and noise while improving running stability.
Hyundai Rotem also redesigned the layout of equipment on the roof and added covers around the wheels, substantially reducing disturbances in airflow. These improvements lowered the drag coefficient by approximately 12.3% compared with the existing EMU-320, which operates in Korea as the KTX-Cheongryong.
The propulsion system was also significantly upgraded. The output of each traction motor was increased to 560 kW, up 47.4% from the previous generation, securing both acceleration performance and operating stability at high speeds.
Hyundai Rotem also said it conducted at least 100 tests to select sound-insulating materials, improve shock absorbers and refine the carbody design. Even at 370 km/h, it kept interior noise to around 73 dB(A). Under the roadmap, the EMU-370 is scheduled to begin trial runs in 2030 and enter commercial service in Korea in 2031.
The EMU-370’s exhibition in Hanoi is tied to THACO Group’s strategy to expand its business into the railway industry, going beyond simply introducing a product. As part of this strategy, Hyundai Rotem is becoming an important partner in helping THACO obtain railway technology transfers and build the capability to manufacture locomotives and passenger cars locally in Vietnam.
[email protected] Kim Jun-seok Reporter