Vietnam accelerates national high-speed railway preparations

By Van Truong
Tue, April 18, 2023 | 12:23 pm GMT+7

The Ministry of Transport is working on an investment policy for a North-South high-speed railway project which is set to be approved by 2025.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha on Monday approved plans for policies, solutions, and resources to develop the country’s railway network from 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, including the integral trans-Vietnam high-speed line.

Along with the North-South high-speed railway, the ministry is preparing to make investments in new routes, including Ho Chi Minh City-Can Tho; Bien Hoa-Vung Tau; Cai Mep-Thi Vai; Thu Thiem-Long Thanh; Hanoi-Hai Phong connecting the Lach Huyen port in Hai Phong; a line connecting Vietnam’s Lao Cai province with China and other countries; and Yen Vien-Pha Lai-Ha Long-Cai Lan.

China's latest bullet train can withstand extreme cold temperatures. Photo courtesy of CNN.

China's latest bullet train can withstand extreme cold temperatures. Photo courtesy of CNN.

For 2021-2025, the government has set aside nearly VND16 trillion ($681 million) in public funding for railway development. Meanwhile, the 2026-2030 period will need about VND224 trillion ($9.53 billion) from the state budget and other sources.

A total of 25,800 hectares of land will be needed for Vietnam’s railway development until 2050.

In early March, the Politburo - the Party’s premier decision-making body - set a target of approving an investment policy for the North-South express railway by 2025, with construction to start before 2030.

The government will submit its investment policy to the National Assembly for approval in the legislative body’s 2021-2026 term. The transport ministry will make feasibility reports, approve the design, complete site clearance, then start a number of bidding packages for the first two sections between Hanoi-Vinh and Ho Chi Minh City-Nha Trang in this period.

A pre-feasibility study for the entire North-South high-speed railway system was submitted to the government in February 2019. Based on that, the government established a state council to make appraisals. As planned, the trans-Vietnam line will pass through 20 provinces, operating on double tracks with a 1.435 meters gauge instead of the single track used on the current aging system. The total length will be 1,545 kilometers, with a maximum operating speed of about 320 km per hour.

It is estimated that the project will cost about $58.71 billion, or about 14.4% of Vietnam's GDP in 2022 ($409 billion).

Comments (0)
  • Read More
HCMC's first metro line officially operational after nearly 2 decades

HCMC's first metro line officially operational after nearly 2 decades

The first urban railway line in Ho Chi Minh City, named Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien, officially started commercial operations on Sunday after nearly two decades of waiting.

Infrastructure - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 2:17 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's 2025 GDP to grow 6.5% on robust infrastructure investment, consumer spending recovery: VinaCapital

Vietnam's 2025 GDP to grow 6.5% on robust infrastructure investment, consumer spending recovery: VinaCapital

Domestic factors, including a ramp-up in Government infrastructure spending, a revival of the real estate market, and a recovery of consumer spending, will help sustain Vietnam's GDP growth at a circa 6.5% pace next year, in-line with the National Assembly’s official target and with 2024 GDP growth, write Michael Kokalari, chief economist at VinaCapital.

Consulting - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 2:00 pm GMT+7

Vietnam shipping, seaport stock rally driven by rosy outlook in 2025

Vietnam shipping, seaport stock rally driven by rosy outlook in 2025

Many shipping and port stocks have risen sharply since November on an optimistic outlook for the industry driven by increasing throughput and a shift in container shipping alliances in 2025.

Companies - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 10:00 am GMT+7

Singapore’s Platinum Victory seeks to raise stake in Vietnam’s REE to nearly 45%

Singapore’s Platinum Victory seeks to raise stake in Vietnam’s REE to nearly 45%

Singaporean fund Platinum Victory Pte. Ltd. has registered to buy another 16.8 million shares in Ho Chi Minh City-based utility firm Refrigeration Electrical Engineering Corporation (REE), aiming to increase its ownership to nearly 45%.

Finance - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 9:29 am GMT+7

1.8 km road connecting Lach Huyen Port terminals to be built in northern Vietnam

1.8 km road connecting Lach Huyen Port terminals to be built in northern Vietnam

The Hai Phong Economic Zone Management Board has taken a significant step forward in enhancing infrastructure around Lach Huyen Port by establishing a council to appraise the environmental impact assessment for the road connecting terminals No. 3 to No. 6.

Economy - Sun, December 22, 2024 | 8:00 am GMT+7

Hanoi TikToker internationally wanted for involving in multi-billion-dollar scam

Hanoi TikToker internationally wanted for involving in multi-billion-dollar scam

Hanoi police have issued an international arrest warrant for Le Khac Ngo, known as "Mr. Hunter," a key accomplice in a recently-dismantled massive foreign exchange and securities fraud ring.

Society - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:57 pm GMT+7

Unlocking Phu Quoc’s potential to become the 'Hawaii of the East'

Unlocking Phu Quoc’s potential to become the 'Hawaii of the East'

Leading global tourism companies have remarked that Phu Quoc has "yet to receive the recognition it deserves," despite its impressive and unexpected growth rate.

Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 7:20 pm GMT+7

Thai central bank maintains policy interest rate at 2.25%

Thai central bank maintains policy interest rate at 2.25%

The Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) has said it backs the decision by the Bank of Thailand, the country's central bank, to maintain the policy interest rate at 2.25%, considering the move as suitable for a reviving economy.

Southeast Asia - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 5:43 pm GMT+7

Vietnam's military-run tech giant Viettel strikes big deals at international defence expo

Vietnam's military-run tech giant Viettel strikes big deals at international defence expo

Subsidiaries of Military Industry and Telecommunications Group (Viettel) signed a string of significant contracts with major global partners during the first two days of the Vietnam International Defence Expo 2024 in Hanoi.

Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 5:36 pm GMT+7

Taiwan’s Wistron acquires 37ha land lot in northern Vietnam for expansion

Taiwan’s Wistron acquires 37ha land lot in northern Vietnam for expansion

Taiwan-headquartered Wistron, a top electronics provider and an Apple supplier, will further its investment in Vietnam’s northern province of Ha Nam by acquiring another 37.1-hectare land lot.

Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 2:08 pm GMT+7

VAFIE seeks to promote sci-tech development, intellectual property policies

VAFIE seeks to promote sci-tech development, intellectual property policies

The Vietnam’s Association of Foreign Invested Enterprises (VAFIE) aims to enhance policies for the development of science, technology, and intellectual property, creating a more conducive investment environment.

Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 1:59 pm GMT+7

Vietnamese dong likely to depreciate 3% in 2025: VinaCapital

Vietnamese dong likely to depreciate 3% in 2025: VinaCapital

The Vietnamese dong is likely to depreciate 3% in 2025 on anticipation that the US Dollar/DXY Index will finish 2025 nearly unchanged, says Michael Kokalari, chief economist at Vietnam's leading fund manager VinaCapital.

Economy - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 11:23 am GMT+7

First luxury railway journey across Vietnam features Indochine architecture

First luxury railway journey across Vietnam features Indochine architecture

PYS Travel has launched the first luxury railway journey across Vietnam named Sjourney, marking a new milestone in the railway tourism sector.

Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:09 am GMT+7

Vietnam among 40 most beautiful countries: US publication

Vietnam among 40 most beautiful countries: US publication

Vietnam has secured the 36th position in the ranking of the 40 most beautiful countries in 2024 in a testament to its undeniable charm and appeal, according to US News & World Report.

Travel - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 10:04 am GMT+7

Foxconn to invest $16 mln more in Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province

Foxconn to invest $16 mln more in Vietnam’s Quang Ninh province

Competition Team Technology (Vietnam) Company Limited, a subsidiary of Foxconn, will invest an extra $16 million in its “S- Vietnam” project in the northern coastal province of Quang Ninh.

Industries - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 9:53 am GMT+7

Vietnam’s small- and medium-sized businesses embrace digitization to weather global expansion risks: survey

Vietnam’s small- and medium-sized businesses embrace digitization to weather global expansion risks: survey

While global expansion remains a key priority for the country's small- and medium-sized businesses (SMBs), achieving this goal requires overcoming challenges by leveraging the right talent and advanced technologies, including AI, according to Payoneer’s findings.

Companies - Sat, December 21, 2024 | 7:56 am GMT+7