Unlocking New Frontiers: The North-South High-Speed Rail Project.

The meeting was also attended by Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy and representatives of ministries, sectors, and localities who are members of the Council.

According to Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, the project to invest in the construction of a high-speed rail line on the North-South axis has been approved by the Politburo and the Central Committee of the Party with a design speed of 350 km/h for passenger transport, meeting the requirements of dual-use for national defense and security, and cargo transport if necessary.

This is an extremely important project for the country’s development, contributing to enhancing the country’s stature and prestige in the new era. Therefore, ministries and sectors need high determination, great efforts, and decisive actions to implement it.

At the meeting, the Council members focused on discussing and providing opinions on the contents of the pre-feasibility study report of the project, the appraisal results of the appraisal consultant, and the draft appraisal report on the pre-feasibility study report of the project.

Concluding the meeting, Minister Nguyen Chi Dung, Chairman of the Council, requested the Ministry of Transport to carefully study the appraisal report of the inter-sectoral appraisal team, the appraisal report of the Appraisal Consultant, the opinions of the Council members, and the appraisal opinions of the relevant ministries and sectors to maximize the absorption and urgently complete the pre-feasibility study report of the project.

Regarding the project dossier, based on the Conclusions of the Politburo, the Central Committee, and the Government’s Standing Committee, the Chairman requested the Ministry of Transport to review, scrutinize, and supplement the project dossier comprehensively to ensure quality and efficiency.

Regarding transport demand forecasting, the Chairman requested a thorough review of transport demand forecasting data (passengers and cargo) on the North-South corridor to ensure reliability and consistency with global projects.

Regarding the alignment and station locations, the Council requested strict adherence to the Government’s Standing Committee’s directions, especially the technical factors of the alignment, which should be as straight as possible to reduce costs, especially in the section passing through Nam Dinh province, ensuring operating speed for trains, creating new development space, and avoiding residential and urban areas. However, there must be suitable connection plans to ensure the shortest connection to major airports and seaports, convenient linkage to the East-West corridor, and connection to the railway lines of China, Laos, and Cambodia. At the same time, continue to coordinate with localities where the high-speed railway passes through to review and adjust the alignment and station locations of the project, especially those with advantages in connecting to major transport hubs and economic zones.

Regarding the preliminary total investment, the Chairman requested a review based on the principle of accuracy and compliance with legal regulations in the pre-feasibility study report of the project.