Vietnam plans $7.3 bln rail route linking 2 northern provinces bordering China

Vietnam Railway Authority under the Ministry of Transport has proposed a 448-km long, VND183,856 billion ($7.26 billion) route running between the northern provinces of Lao Cai and Quang Ninh, both sharing a border with China.

The route will run through Hanoi and the port city of Hai Phong.

Lao Cai, a northern mountainous province, shares a border with China’s Yunnan province, while Quang Ninh borders the giant neighbor’s Guangxi province.

Under the proposal, the 447.7-kilometer railway, running on 1,435-milimeter gauge, will travel through several localities including Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Hai Phong.

It will feature 41 stations for both cargo and passenger transport and technical tasks. The facility will also have side tracks linking to seaports in Hai Phong.

The investment estimate includes VND24,065 billion ($950 million) for site clearance, VND110,138 billion for equipment and construction, and VND33,551 billion for other tasks.

The proposal will have the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong section deployed by 2030; and the Hai Phong-Quang Ninh section completed later.

In June, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh had said Vietnam was considering three railway routes linking with China under the Belt and Road Initiative (BRI) and the “Two Corridors, One Belt” initiative.

Chinh said the three railway routes under consideration were: Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong; Lang Son-Hanoi; and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong.

Last month, the Ministry of Transport said it was drafting plans to invest $13 billion in building and upgrading two rail routes linking Vietnam with China.

The 156-kilometer Hanoi-Dong Dang railway (linking Hanoi with Lang Son province bordering China) would have a budget of $6 billion.

The 187-kilometer Hai Phong-Ha Long-Mong Cai route, linking the port city with the Mong Cai international gate in Quang Ninh province would have a budget of $7 billion.