Brian Jeffrey
On February 13, the Minister of Transport, Tran Hong Minh, presented an investment plan for the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway project to the National Assembly, acting on behalf of the Prime Minister.
This railway will connect the new Lao Cai station with Ha Khau Bac station in China and will extend to Lach Huyen port, spanning across nine provinces and cities.
The main railway line will measure around 390.9 kilometers in length, supplemented by 27.9 kilometers of branch lines. This project will introduce a newly built electrified railway featuring a 1,435mm gauge, designed for both passenger and freight services.
The plan includes the construction of 18 stations, consisting of three main hubs and 15 mixed-use stations, alongside 13 technical operation centers. As demand grows, some of these centers may eventually be upgraded to full stations.
In terms of land requirements, the project will need about 2,632 hectares, with plans to relocate approximately 19,136 residents.
Financing for this project will rely on public investment, with the total estimated cost at 203.231 trillion VND (around $8.37 billion USD). The funding is expected to come from both national and local government budgets, domestic investments, foreign capital, and loans from the Chinese government.
The feasibility study is anticipated to start in 2025, aiming for project completion by 2030.
To facilitate effective execution and decrease bureaucratic hurdles, the government has suggested 19 special policy measures for the railway project. Of these, 15 are derived from existing policies used for the North-South high-speed railway, while four are entirely new initiatives.
One of the new measures proposes to provide legal immunity or reduced liability for government officials and project managers involved in the development of this railway.
Minister Tran Hong Minh emphasized that this approach would safeguard responsible leaders and civil servants from legal repercussions, enabling them to make bold decisions in managing the significant investment.
In response to the government’s proposal, Vu Hong Thanh, Chairman of the National Assembly’s Economic Committee, reviewed the plan.
Some lawmakers showed support for the initiative, warning that the expedited timeline might result in bureaucratic challenges and potential mistakes. They argued that legal protections could empower officials to take swift action, thereby enhancing the project’s overall success.
Conversely, some members cautioned that existing laws already permit exemptions for officials acting in good faith. They expressed concerns that creating a unique policy for this railway project could set a problematic precedent for future infrastructure endeavors.
Chairman Vu Hong Thanh remarked that this kind of legal exemption is unprecedented in Vietnam, suggesting that the government should seek higher authority approval before moving forward with the proposal for legislative review.
