The Politburo has reached an agreement to seek opinions from the Party Central
Committee regarding the investment plan for a north-south high-speed railway before it
is submitted to the National Assembly, the 1,500 kilometres Vietnam’s North-South Highspeed Railway.
As revealed by a pre-feasibility study report, the countryโs Ministry of Transport has
presented a proposal to investing in a high-speed railway that has a design speed of
350 kph, a total length of 1,541 kilometers, double tracks with a gauge of 1,435 mm.
Just recently, Vietnam’s Commission for the State Management Capital (CMSC), extended its invitation to the biggest Chinese contractor, China State Construction Engineering Corporation (CSCEC) to build this mega project. According to Vietnam, the involvement of the Chinese contractor in this crucial project would promote the establishment of a community shared future between China and Vietnam. Additionally, it was also noted that the CSCEC involvement in this project was based on its long history involvement in other Vietnam’s projects.
Inviting CSCEC to implement this project is termed as quite strategic because Vietnam intends to depend mainly on domestic supply chains and project teams.
Vietnam’s North-South Highspeed Railway Project Cost
This mega project is expected to go at a total investment of approximately US$67.34
billion. This electrified railway project will entail a total of 23 passenger stations, as well
as 5 freight stations that will be connected to key cargo hubs.
The railway route will run from Ngoc Hoi station in Hanoi and pass through 20 provinces
and cities, and finally end at Thu Thiem station in Ho Chi Minh City. Furthermore, according to consultantsโ calculations, with a speed of 350 kph, the railway is expected to attract approximately 12.5% more passengers than with a speed of 250 kph and cost about 8-9% more to build.
With matters regarding the implementation timeline, the ministry has set up plans to
present the investment policy to the legislature in October. In 2025-2026, a bidding process will take place to select international consultants, and surveys and preparations for a pre-feasibility study report will be executed.
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Land clearance will begin by y the end of 2027, followed by construction bidding and
ground-breaking for the HanoiโVinh and Nha TrangโHo Chi Minh City sections of the
railroad. Construction works for the VinhโNha Trang section is expected to kick off in
the fiscal year 2028-2029, with the aim of completing the whole route by 2035.
Significance of the Project
According to the Politburo, the mega railway project aims to meet the growing transport
demand in the region and is in line with the Partyโs policies and orientations for transport
infrastructure investment
Moreover the high-speed railway foreseen to foster and promote general regional and
inter-regional connectivity, generate economic spillover effects and open up new
economic development spaces in the country Additionally, it will be of great help in restructuring urban areas and economic sectors, thereby generally enhancing the
economyโs competitiveness.
Lastly, the project is poised to drive the growth of the railway and supporting industries
therefore romoting sustainable, modern, and eco-friendly modes of transport. This will
help in reducing traffic accidents, mitigate environmental pollution and adapt to climate
change while ensuring national defense-security.
Project Factsheet
Name: Vietnam’s North-South Highspeed Railway
Location: The line would begin inย Lแบกng Sฦกnย andย end in Cร Mau, connecting the two most urbanized areas in the country: Hanoi in the North, and Ho Chi Minh City in the South.
Cost: Approximately $67.34 billion
Length: 1,541 kilometers
Completion date: By 2035
Number of stations: 28 stations (23 passenger stations and 5 cargo stations)
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