Investment policy for North-South high-speed railway project approved

A resolution on the investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway project was adopted on November 30 by the 15^th National Assembly (NA) at its 8^th session, which concluded on the same day.

After 18 years of preparation and referencing global high-speed rail models, the project is considered feasible for Vietnam's current context.

The projected railway will be an electrified double track of 1,435 mm gauge, to be designed for a speed of 350 km per hour.

It will stretch 1,541 km, connecting 20 cities and provinces from Hanoi's Ngoc Hoi station to Thu Thiem station in Ho Chi Minh City.

The project spans three medium-term budget cycles, requiring approximately 5VND38 billion ($21.22 million) for preparatory work (2021–2025), VND841.7 trillion (more than $33.2 billion) for 2026–2030, and VND871.3 trillion (more than $34.37 billion) for 2031–2035.

Budget allocation will align with project progress, exempting the project from financial feasibility assessments mandated by the 2019 Public Investment Law, according to the NA Standing Committee.