Construction of projected North–South high-speed railway is to start in 2026

At the second meeting of the Steering Committee for key national railway projects, held in Hanoi on April 26, under his chair,  Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has called for prompt preparations to start the construction of the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway project in 2025 and the North–South high-speed railway in 2026.

The PM, who is also head of the Steering Committee for key national railway projects, was quoted by the Government News as noting at the meeting that the Government expects construction of the $67 billion North-South high-speed railway will begin on December 2026, aiming to revolutionize national transportation and boost economic growth.

The projected high-speed railway, covering 1,541 kilometers, will connect Hanoi's Ngoc Hoi Station with Ho Chi Minh City's Thu Thiem Station, and include 23 passenger stations and 5 freight stations.

The projected double-track railway will have a design speed of 350 km/h and an axle load of 22.5 tons.

As a national key project, the North-South high-speed railway is Vietnam's first large-scale high-speed rail initiative, requiring advanced technology and rapid implementation.

For the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway project, the relevant agencies were asked to discuss and urge the Chinese side to expedite the loan agreement negotiations.

The new railway line will span approximately 390.9 kilometers for the main route and include 27.9 kilometers of branch lines. The project will traverse nine localities of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Ha Noi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Hai Phong. Starting at the border crossing point in Lao Cai Province, the line will end at Lach Huyen Station in the port city of Hai Phong.

The main line from the new Lao Cai Station to Nam Hai Phong Station will be designed for speeds up to 160 km/h, while sections through Hanoi will operate at 120 km/h and the remaining will run at 80 km/h.

The costs of the project is estimated at VND203.2 trillion (about $8.369 billion).