Economist underlines railway necessity for Mekong Delta development

By Nguyen Long
Tue, May 31, 2022 | 3:37 pm GMT+7

A railway route linking Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s southern economic hub, with Mekong Delta is essential for the major agricultural region to take off, said a senior economist.

Addressing a workshop held on Tuesday in HCMC to discuss ways to assist the delta’s development, expert Tran Du Lich said such a railway system has been proposed for a long period, but that proposals remain on the table.

"Poor traffic infrastructure, slow changes in the agricultural structure, and problematic human resources development are the three main reasons behind the delta’s lower-than-expected development despite its high potential," he noted.

There is currently no railway operating in the delta region, though one ran from Saigon (now HCMC) to My Tho town in the 19th and 20th centuries. Operations stopped in the late 1950s.

An expressway section in Mekong Delta. Photo courtesy of Thanh Nien newspaper.

An expressway section in Mekong Delta. Photo courtesy of Thanh Nien newspaper.

Can Tho authorities have proposed construction of a $7-billion HCMC-Can Tho express railway before 2030 to catch up with Mekong Delta transport demand.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had previously added a railway project linking the two cities to the government’s plan on railway network development in the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

The delta comprises Can Tho as its hub and the 12 provinces of An Giang, Dong Thap, Long An, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Ben Tre, Tra Vinh, Soc Trang, Hau Giang, Bac Lieu, Ca Mau and Kien Giang. It is one of the largest and most fertile deltas in Southeast Asia, and Vietnam’s biggest food, fisheries and fruit production region.

At the workshop, Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Duy Lam underlined the delta’s significance and said the central government, which is aware of the region’s potential, has paid close attention to developing infrastructure facilities.

In terms of expressway development, he said, the overall cost to build is estimated to be 1.3-1.5 times higher than that in other regions as the delta houses many rivers and wetland areas.

To date, the combined length of expressways in service in the delta is 91 kilometers. A total of 1,180 kilometers of expressways have been planned for the region until 2030, Lam added.

Comments (0)
  • Read More
Viettel Post-invested $27 mln logistics center project breaks ground in central Vietnam

Viettel Post-invested $27 mln logistics center project breaks ground in central Vietnam

Viettel Post, a subsidiary of military-run Viettel Group, has broken ground on an over VND722 billion ($27.41 million) logistics center project in Danang city, which is expected to enhance the logistics capacity of Vietnam's central and Central Highlands regions.

Industries - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 7:35 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's stock market regulator introduces green bond disclosure handbook

Vietnam's stock market regulator introduces green bond disclosure handbook

By enhancing transparency and standardizing disclosures, the Green Bond Disclosure Handbook that the State Securities Commission of Vietnam (SSC) introduced will build investor trust, reduce greenwashing risks, and support the growth of a credible and resilient green finance market in Vietnam.

Finance - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 2:11 pm GMT+7

Central Vietnam province Lam Dong seeks investment for 72 projects

Central Vietnam province Lam Dong seeks investment for 72 projects

The Lam Dong province People's Committee has called for investment in 72 projects across various sectors which are set for implementation in 2025 and the 2026-2030 period.

Industries - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 1:31 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's leading conglomerate Vingroup ventures into senior living market

Vietnam's leading conglomerate Vingroup ventures into senior living market

Vingroup JSC (HoSE: VIC) has unveiled Vin New Horizon, a network of premium retirement and wellness communities built to international standards, marking the Vietnamese conglomerate’s strategic entry into the senior living market.

Industries - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 12:28 pm GMT+7

Vietnam’s agri major HAGL makes surprise return to property, saying land plot forgotten for 15 years

Vietnam’s agri major HAGL makes surprise return to property, saying land plot forgotten for 15 years

Vietnam’s agri major Hoang Anh Gia Lai JSC's (HAGL) return to real estate is an accident, after discovering a plot of land the company had “forgotten for 15 years” during its boom years, said chairman Doan Nguyen Duc.

Companies - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 10:02 am GMT+7

REE to set up 2 subsidiaries for wind projects in southern Vietnam

REE to set up 2 subsidiaries for wind projects in southern Vietnam

Ho Chi Minh City-based utility firm Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (HoSE: REE) has decided to establish two wholly-owned subsidiaries to develop two wind power projects in Vinh Long province, expanding its renewable energy portfolio in southern Vietnam.

Energy - Sun, October 19, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Australian CEO detained, NSH Petro’s recovery hopes collapse

Australian CEO detained, NSH Petro’s recovery hopes collapse

The recovery prospects of NSH Petro (PSH) have dimmed after its Australian CEO was detained on allegations of fraud involving false promises of billion-dollar financing that led to the misappropriation of nearly $4.9 million.

Companies - Sat, October 18, 2025 | 6:53 pm GMT+7

Maintaining market status upgrade a bigger challenge: official

Maintaining market status upgrade a bigger challenge: official

Vietnam's stock market status will be upgraded by FTSE Russell from "frontier" to "secondary emerging" from September 21 next year, but continued reform is critical as the bigger challenge is to maintain the new classification, said a market watchdog official.

Finance - Sat, October 18, 2025 | 1:30 pm GMT+7

HCMC partners with Nasdaq to develop int’l financial center

HCMC partners with Nasdaq to develop int’l financial center

The Finance Department of Vietnam’s southern metropolis Ho Chi Minh City has signed an MoU with the U.S.-based stock exchange Nasdaq on the development of an international financial center (IFC).

Top News - Sat, October 18, 2025 | 11:56 am GMT+7

Vingroup plans $325 mln issuance of international bonds

Vingroup plans $325 mln issuance of international bonds

Vietnam's leading private conglomerate Vingroup (HoSE: VIC) has announced a board of directors resolution to issue $325 million worth of international bonds, with a five-year term and a yield of 5.5% per year.

Companies - Sat, October 18, 2025 | 10:26 am GMT+7

Vietnam raises personal income tax deductions by over 40%

Vietnam raises personal income tax deductions by over 40%

The Standing Committee of Vietnam’s National Assembly, the country's legislature, on Friday approved a resolution on adjusting personal income tax (PIT) deductions, marking a significant increase of over 40% from current levels.

Economy - Sat, October 18, 2025 | 9:11 am GMT+7

EVN subsidiary spreads the spirit of solidarity, compassion

EVN subsidiary spreads the spirit of solidarity, compassion

The employees of National Power Transmission Corporation (EVNNPT) came together in an inspiring display of unity and compassion in October, each donating one day’s salary to support and express solidarity with the people of Cuba - a nation that has long shared a special friendship with Vietnam.

Companies - Sat, October 18, 2025 | 9:00 am GMT+7

Property fever prompts tighter inspection in central Vietnam's economic hub Danang

Property fever prompts tighter inspection in central Vietnam's economic hub Danang

Chairman of Danang city People’s Committee, Pham Duc An, has ordered a comprehensive inspection and audit of land valuation and auction activities to prevent and address market manipulation that could destabilize the local property market.

Real Estate - Sat, October 18, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Vietnam mulls opening door for private investment in small modular reactors

Vietnam mulls opening door for private investment in small modular reactors

Vietnam’s Ministry of Industry and Trade has drafted a parliamentary resolution that, for the first time, would allow private companies to participate in the development of small modular nuclear reactors (SMRs).

Energy - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 4:37 pm GMT+7

Kido seeks buyer for remaining 49% stake in frozen food affiliate

Kido seeks buyer for remaining 49% stake in frozen food affiliate

Kido Group (HoSE: KDC), a leading food company in Vietnam, has approved a plan to divest the firm's remaining 49% stake in its affiliate Kido Frozen Food JSC (Kido Foods).

Companies - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 4:25 pm GMT+7

Le Ngoc Quang appointed Danang city's Party chief

Le Ngoc Quang appointed Danang city's Party chief

Le Ngoc Quang, a Party Central Committee member and Party chief of Quang Tri province, has been appointed Party chief of Danang for the 2025-2030 term - the highest position in the city, central Vietnam's economic hub.

Politics - Fri, October 17, 2025 | 4:17 pm GMT+7