The Ministry of Transport (MOT) has recently responded to a proposal from the Dong Thap Provincial National Assembly Delegation regarding the early consideration of investing in the construction of a railway connecting the Mekong Delta region with Ho Chi Minh City and other areas to facilitate transportation and logistics, and boost the socio-economic development of the region.
In line with the aforementioned proposal from the constituents, the MOT stated that according to the plan, the Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho railway line is approximately 174 km long and passes through 6 provinces/cities. It is a double track with a gauge of 1.435 mm. The research and investment route will be carried out before 2030.
The project plays an important role in connecting the key economic centers in the South with the Mekong Delta, enhancing the region’s competitiveness and supporting the supply of goods to the market.
Project route direction.
Following the directions of the Politburo and the planning framework, the MOT has assigned the Project Management Board for Railways as the investor, allocated funds for the preparation of the Feasibility Study Report, and is currently focusing on expediting the progress of the Feasibility Study Report.
“This is a large-scale project (with a preliminary total investment of about 7 billion USD), involving complex technologies and technical aspects. Therefore, it requires careful, comprehensive and objective scientific research, especially in terms of resource allocation. The MOT is striving to complete the Feasibility Study Report to submit to the competent authority, in order to lay the foundation for resource mobilization and implementation before 2030” – said the MOT.
The Ho Chi Minh City – Can Tho railway project has a consulting consortium including TEDI South Corporation (Southern Transport Engineering Design Consultancy Joint Stock Company), TRICC (Investment and Construction Transport Engineering Consultancy Joint Stock Company), and TEDI (Transport Engineering Design Inc.)
The project starts at An Binh Station (An Binh Ward, Di An City, Binh Duong Province) and ends at Can Tho Station (Phu Thu Ward, Cai Rang District, Can Tho City). The project passes through 6 provinces and cities (Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, Can Tho), with a total of 13 stations.
The railway is designed according to double track standard, with a gauge of 1.435 mm, electric traction, and a maximum speed of 200 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight trains. In terms of technology, there will be distributed power units for passenger trains and concentrated power units for freight trains.
The feasibility study report is expected to be submitted for decision by the competent authority in 2024 and completed for the Prime Minister and the National Assembly’s approval in 2025. The project is planned to be considered for investment approval and commence before 2030, and completed before 2035.
