Land acquisition work for two key railway projects to begin in mid-Autumn
VOV.VN - Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered a nationwide launch of land acquisition for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong standard-gauge railway project and the North–South high-speed railway project on August 19, with a deadline set no later than the end of 2026.
The PM made the request during the third meeting of the Steering Committee for National Key Railway Projects in Hanoi on July 9.
He noted that land clearance work has been separated from the investment projects and assigned to provinces and cities through which the rail lines will pass. He emphasised that local authorities, particularly their top leaders, must take the initiative, direct local wards and communes, and mobilise the entire political system to carry out the task.
Relevant agencies must also promptly hand over finalised route alignments that consider future development, enabling the next phases to move forward, he said.
The Prime Minister instructed the Ministry of Construction to lead in developing technical standards and regulations for the projects, with a deadline of July 20, 2025. The Ministry of Science and Technology was required to review and officially issue these standards by August 10, 2025, under the direction of Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Chi Dung.
Under the guidance of Deputy Prime Ministers Tran Hong Ha and Ho Duc Phoc, relevant agencies will propose investment models in accordance with current laws.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs was tasked with expediting a meeting of the Vietnam–China Intergovernmental Committee to discuss cross-border railway connectivity, following directives from both countries’ top leaders.
The Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong standard-gauge railway and the North–South high-speed railway are among Vietnam's most strategic national railway projects currently under development, alongside the Hanoi – Lang Son and Hai Phong – Mong Cai railway lines, and urban railway projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
According to Resolution 187/2025/QH15 passed by the National Assembly, the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong line will span approximately 419 km, starting at the border rail link in Lao Cai and ending at Lach Huyen Port in Hai Phong. The project has a total investment of approx. US$8.37 billion.
Meanwhile, the North-South high-speed line has been designed to stretch 1,541 km for trains to run at a speed of 350 km/h. The line will have a total of 23 passenger stations and five cargo stations, starting from Ngoc Hoi Station in Hanoi and passing through 20 provinces and cities before ending at Thu Thiem Station in Ho Chi Minh City. The project is estimated to cost Vietnam roughly US$67.34 billion.
Private sector allowed to invest in railways projects
VOV.VN - With 426 out of 440 votes in favour, the National Assembly passed the amended Railway Law in Hanoi on June 27, permitting the private sector to invest in railway projects.
