HCMC – Vietnam is expediting plans for a 417-kilometer railway linking Lao Cai, Hanoi, and Haiphong, aiming to begin construction in 2025.
The Ministry of Transport has directed relevant agencies to finalize the paperwork for the US$8.37 billion project, said Luu Quang Thin, deputy head of the ministry’s planning and investment department.
As reported by the Vietnam News Agency, expediting such a large-scale infrastructure project presents a major challenge, given the typical three to four years needed for preparation.
However, the Government has emphasized the importance of promptly initiating the project to drive connectivity and economic development in the northern region.
The railway will pass through nine provinces and cities, including Hanoi, and is designed to connect with China’s railway network in Lao Cai Province, ending at Lach Huyen Port in Haiphong City.
To meet the tight schedule, the project management board has been tasked with submitting a pre-feasibility study by the end of December, followed by a feasibility study by February 2024.
The Government plans to seek parliamentary approval for the project in May 2025.
