Vietnam plans to invest $13 bln in 2 railways linking to China

Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport is drafting plans to invest $13 billion in building and upgrading two railways linking Vietnam with China.

The ministry has recently asked the Vietnam Railway Authority (VRA) to collaborate with Chinese partners to outline the detailed plans in 2025 for further study of feasibility and investment progress. The drafting task is supported by the Chinese government.

The 156-kilometer Hanoi-Dong Dang railway (linking Hanoi capital city with Lang Son province bordering China) is set to have an investment of $6 billion.

Based on its 1,435 millimeter gauge, the passenger train and cargo train can run at 160 and 120 kilometers per hour, respectively.

The railway is set to link Vietnam with China at the Dong Dang international railway gateway in Lang Son province.

The Hanoi-Dong Dang line is now operational on both 1,000-milimeter and 1,435-milimeter gauges with only three train couples per day, or 20% of its capacity.

The upgrade can help fulfill the traffic demand of 7.5 million passengers and nine million tons of cargo yearly from 2050.

The 187-kilometer Hai Phong-Ha Long-Mong Cai is set to link Hai Phong city with Quang Ninh province and with China at the Mong Cai international gateway.

Running on 1,435-milimeter gauge, the project can have an investment of $7 billion and transport cargoes at 120 kilometers per hour and passengers at 160 kilometers per hour.

Currently, the route is only available on roads and waterways.

In June, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said Vietnam is 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 are Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong, Lang Son-Hanoi, and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong.