Vietnam’s North-South High-Speed Railway Construction Set to Start

The Ministry of Transport has announced plans to start building Vietnam’s high-speed North-South railway by December 2027, as stated by Nguyen Tri Duc, the Ministry’s Chief of Office.

On January 21, Nguyen Tri Duc provided insights into the measures being implemented to accelerate the project.

Key components of the Ministry’s strategy include the selection of consultants, the preparation and approval of a feasibility study, and the initiation of bidding for construction contracts. The Government is currently assessing a draft resolution to outline important project milestones and clarify the roles of various ministries and local authorities.

To ensure the project’s success, specific policies and mechanisms are being developed.

The railway will cover around 1,541 kilometers, linking Hanoi’s Ngoc Hoi Station to Ho Chi Minh City’s Thu Thiem Station.

Throughout its route, the railway will traverse 20 provinces and cities, incorporating 23 passenger stations located 50-70 kilometers apart, as well as five freight stations with associated logistics centers.

This initiative involves building a dual-track railway designed for a gauge of 1,435mm, with a targeted speed of 350 km/h and a maximum axle load of 22.5 tons.

Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy has projected the total cost of the project to exceed $67 billion, to be funded exclusively by the state budget, with financing distributed over 12 years at an average of $5.6 billion per year.

The construction will proceed in stages:

• 2027: Kicking off work on the Hanoi-Vinh and Nha Trang-Ho Chi Minh City segments.
• 2028: Initiating construction of the Vinh-Nha Trang section.
• 2035: Expected completion of the entire railway.

This railway is anticipated to be pivotal in addressing transportation demands, bolstering national logistics and defense, and fostering Vietnam’s economic development.