HCMC – The Ministry of Transport has proposed a VND203.2-trillion railway project for enhancing connectivity with China to drive trade, reported the local media.
The Lao Cai-Hanoi-Haiphong railway would have a total length of 391 kilometers, passing through nine provinces and cities, and linking the Lao Cai border station, adjacent to China’s Hekou North Station, with Lach Huyen Port in Haiphong.
It would run through nine localities including Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, and Hai Duong.
With a track gauge of 1,435mm, the railway will support train speeds of 80-160 km/h and feature 18 stations, including key hubs in Lao Cai, Yen Thuong, and southern Haiphong.
The Government will fully fund the project. The feasibility study is expected to be approved in the third quarter of 2025, followed by design finalization and contractor selection. Work on the first section is scheduled to begin late this year.
The railway is part of Vietnam’s broader strategy to enhance trade and transport links, aligning with China’s Belt and Road Initiative and Vietnam’s Two Corridors and One Economic Belt framework. The project aims to boost transport efficiency, reduce logistics costs, and lower carbon emissions.
