117-year-old plant continues to make train cars

A view of the Di An workshop.

The Di An train car workshop in the southern province of Binh Duong, two hours northeast of Saigon center, was built in 1902 by the French to serve the Indochina railroad. It was originally called "Grand Atelier des Chemins de Fer de Di An," meaning "Grand Workshop of Di An Railway."

After 1975 it was taken over by the Vietnamese government.

A unit in the factory.

The factory, spread over some 20,000 square meters, is noted for its French colonial architecture. It was in fact named one of Binh Duong's "historical-cultural monuments" in 2013.

A worker sprays water on railroad trucks in the workshop. The plant has some 250 workers and engineers.

Khuc Thi Hanh, 45, is the only female worker in the plant’s mechanical unit.

She says: "I've done this for 23 years. My main job includes running the machines and lathing the products. It's not that difficult once you get used to it."

Ngo Minh Ha, a worker in the mechanical unit, has been in his job for 30 years.

"The mechanical unit has 24 workers, who mainly manufacture and repair machinery and accessories for the train construction unit," he says.

Workers perform tests on wheels.

A worker works on an undercarriage.

Workers inside a car.

In the past train cars were often made of wood, but nowadays are usually made of composite materials, which are lighter and sturdier.

Workers install seats and berths in a car.

Cars painted and awaiting electrical and furniture installation.

A steam locomotive, the symbol of the Di An train workshop, is displayed in front.

Every year around 80 cars are produced, 17-20 are upgraded and refurbished and 30 are repaired, Nguyen Nhat Thang, deputy director of the Di An Train Company, says.