Vietnam's public investment to focus on expressways, high-speed railways, urban railways
Vietnam is prioritizing public investment for expressway and high-speed/urban railway projects over the next five years to enhance inter-regional connectivity and stimulate socio-economic growth.
A train on Hanoi's Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro line. Photo courtesy of Tien phong (Vanguard) newspaper.
This was outlined in a resolution on the principles, criteria, and quotas for public investment allocation from 2026-2030, approved by the National Assembly's (NA) Standing Committee at a sitting on Friday.
Speaking at the event, Minister of Planning and Investment Nguyen Chi Dung said that compared to the 2020-2025 period, the upcoming phase will focus resources on national priority projects, including expressways, high-speed railways, and urban rail systems.
“The goal is to expedite the completion of critical infrastructure projects that connect regions and promote socio-economic development,” he stressed.
State resources will also be allocated to projects in defense and security, science and technology, innovation, nuclear energy, digital infrastructure, semiconductor technology, and green transformation, he added.
Le Quang Manh, Chairman of the NA’s Finance and Budget Committee, said he supported the proposed allocation principles and criteria up to 2030. However, he recommended that the government thoroughly review the criteria for projects utilizing official development assistance (ODA) and concessional foreign loans to ensure consistency with the new Law on Public Investment.
Manh also suggested prioritizing ODA for projects involving technology transfer in critical areas where Vietnam lacks expertise.
Vietnam is accelerating several key projects, such as components of the eastern wing of the North-South Expressway in the 2021-2025 period, metro lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and Long Thanh International Airport in the southern province of Dong Nai. This year, authorities aim to complete procedures and commence construction on the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway.
Regarding the North-South high-speed railway project, the legislature approved it in late November 2024. The 1,541-kilometer line, starting at Ngoc Hoi Station in Hanoi and ending at Thu Thiem Station in HCMC, will pass through 20 provinces and cities.
The project is designed with a dual-track gauge of 1,435 mm, a maximum speed of 350 km/h, and a load capacity of 22.5 tons per axle. It includes 23 passenger stations and five freight stations. With an estimated cost VND1.713 trillion (approximately $67 billion) using public investment, the project is scheduled for completion by 2035.
The government aims for an economic growth rate exceeding 8% this year and double-digit rates in the period leading up to 2030. Vu Hong Thanh, Chairman of the NA’s Economic Committee, emphasized substantial resources required to achieve these growth targets, highlighting the need for criteria that position public investment as seed capital to attract additional resources.
NA Chairman Tran Thanh Man stressed that public investment allocations should be based on urgency, effectiveness, transparency, and fairness, ensuring that critical projects receive funding while less urgent ones are deferred. He also noted the importance of allocating funds to science-technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
According to Minister Dung, the number of public investment projects was cut from 20,000 in 2010-2015 to 10,000 in 2016-2020 and less than 5,000 in 2021-2025. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has directed bringing the figure to approximately 3,000, focusing resources on large-scale projects, especially those in infrastructure projects, science-technology, innovation, and digital transformation.
- Read More
Indonesia resumes int’l carbon trading after 4-year hiatus
Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto has issued a new decree to restart international carbon emissions trading after a four-year hiatus.
Southeast Asia - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 9:23 pm GMT+7
Investors seek 2-year delay for $2.56 bln LNG power project in northern Vietnam, citing equipment hurdles
Investors of a $2.56 billion LNG-fired power plant in Hung Yen province have proposed delaying the project’s commercial operation schedule by two years due to difficulties securing key equipment.
Energy - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 9:04 pm GMT+7
Vietnam to soon raise taxpayers' personal deduction: official
The personal income tax deduction in Vietnam is "very likely" to increase to VND21.7 million ($823,940) per month, including VND15.5 million (588,530) for the taxpayer and VND6.2 million ($235,410) for each dependent.
Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 6:25 pm GMT+7
Business confidence climbs as reforms gain traction amid global headwinds: EuroCham Vietnam
The index climbed to 66.5, surpassing pre-tariffs level and reaching its highest in three years – showcasing resilience and adaptability amid global headwinds and evolving U.S. tariff pressures.
Economy - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 4:36 pm GMT+7
Vietnam's stock market watchdog suspends two Grant Thornton auditors
Vietnam's State Securities Commission (SSC) has suspended two auditors from Grant Thornton Vietnam after determining that the 2024 audited financial statements of Saigon Water Infrastructure Corporation (HoSE: SII) failed to meet required standards.
Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 3:35 pm GMT+7
Law No. 56 a major policy breakthrough for Vietnam's stock market development
The Law No. 56, effective January 1, 2025, is one of the major legal breakthroughs in recent years that will enhance the transparency and operational efficiency of the Vietnamese stock market.
Finance - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 2:30 pm GMT+7
WHA Group breaks ground on smart technology industrial zone in central Vietnam
Thailand's WHA Group on Tuesday broke ground on a world-class, modern, and environmentally friendly industrial zone in central Vietnam, namely the WHA Smart Technology Industrial Zone-Thanh Hoa.
Real Estate - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 2:00 pm GMT+7
Vietnam a key partner in Murphy Oil’s global strategy: exec
Vietnam remains a key partner in Murphy Oil’s global business strategy, said Eric Hambly, the U.S. corporation's president and CEO.
Companies - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 12:06 pm GMT+7
VNPT, Qualcomm debut Vietnam’s 1st original design-based excellence center
State-owned Vietnam Posts and Telecommunications Group (VNPT) and Qualcomm have officially launched the VNPT-Qualcomm Excellence Center (VQEC), the first facility in the country to operate under an original design co-development model using Qualcomm’s core technologies.
Companies - Thu, October 16, 2025 | 8:41 am GMT+7
Indonesia enjoys steady growth in nine months
Indonesia's Ministry of Finance on Tuesday announced the country’s 2025 budget performance as of September, reporting that Southeast Asia’s largest economy continued to post steady growth despite global economic uncertainties.
Southeast Asia - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 9:53 pm GMT+7
Malaysia on progressive path towards AI nation status: experts
Malaysia is on a progressive track towards becoming an Artificial Intelligence (AI) nation by 2030, a goal seen as achievable under Budget 2026 - the Malaysian Government’s fiscal and policy framework for 2026.
Southeast Asia - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 9:44 pm GMT+7
Thailand steps up development of semiconductor industry
Thailand’s Board of Investment (BOI) plans to propose a new national semiconductor and advanced electronics policy board to the government, which will spearhead Thailand’s semiconductor development strategy.
Southeast Asia - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 9:40 pm GMT+7
ASEAN sets ambitious energy targets
Senior energy officials from ASEAN member nations and Timor-Leste on Tuesday convened in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, to finalize key outcomes and policy recommendations to be submitted to the 43rd ASEAN Ministers on Energy Meeting (AMEM).
Southeast Asia - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 9:33 pm GMT+7
Sun Group gets nod for $375 mln inland waterway tourism project in central Vietnam
A subsidiary of Sun Group, one of Vietnam’s leading real estate developers, has received approval to invest VND9.88 trillion ($375 million) in an inland waterway tourism project in the central coastal city of Danang.
Industries - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 5:21 pm GMT+7
Vietnamese luxury car dealer Haxaco’s business slumps, stock nears two-year low
The operations of Hang Xanh Automobile Service JSC or Haxaco (HoSE: HAX), known as the largest distributor of Mercedes-Benz vehicles in Vietnam, are under pressure as consumers tighten spending and competition among car brands intensifies.
Companies - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 5:13 pm GMT+7
Vietnam sets 2026 GDP growth target at 10%
The Vietnamese Government has set the targets for economic expansion in 2026 at about 10% and inflation at 4.5%.
Economy - Wed, October 15, 2025 | 4:28 pm GMT+7






















