Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has signed a decision approving the adjusted master plan for the railway network for the period 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050.
One of the most notable updates is Vietnam’s addition of two cross-border railway connections. Specifically, a link to China at the Mong Cai border gate via the Hai Phong – Ha Long – Mong Cai route will be added, along with a connection to Cambodia at the Moc Bai border gate through the Ho Chi Minh City – Tay Ninh route.
Additionally, the new plan adjusts the scope of two existing railway lines: Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi – Lao Cai. It also updates the functional conversion timeline for the Hanoi – Hai Phong line (from Hai Phong station to Chua Ve port) after the Vat Cach station is completed and operational.
For new railway lines, the government has revised the name, scale, and investment roadmap for the North-South high-speed railway. The Hanoi – Quang Ninh high-speed line has also been added. Furthermore, the scale and investment timelines for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong and Ho Chi Minh City – Loc Ninh lines have been adjusted. The investment timelines for the Hanoi – Dong Dang, Hai Phong – Ha Long – Mong Cai, and Thap Cham – Da Lat lines have also been revised. The An Binh – Saigon (Hoa Hung) – Tan Kien line has been newly added to the national railway network.
Notably, the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh line has been removed from the national railway plan and reclassified as an urban railway. Its development will be managed by Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai Province, which will update it in their provincial and related plans.
The Thu Thiem – Long Thanh line has been removed from the national railway plan and reclassified as an urban railway.
In the Hanoi hub, the new plan outlines that the national railway network will follow the Thach Loi – Kim Son route and the eastern and western beltways, including double tracks with a gauge of 1,435 mm and single tracks with a gauge of 1,000 mm.
Hanoi will also feature a new railway industrial complex covering approximately 250 hectares in Chuyen My and Ung Hoa communes, along with new freight stations in Thuong Tin and Yen Thuong.
In Ho Chi Minh City, An Binh station is designated as the terminus of the Hanoi – Ho Chi Minh City line and the starting point of the Bien Hoa – Vung Tau line. The An Binh – Saigon (Hoa Hung) – Tan Kien segment has been integrated into the national railway network with a gauge of 1,435 mm, directly connecting to the North-South high-speed railway via Trang Bom – Cam My.
For Da Nang City, the new plan mandates the relocation of Da Nang station by 2030.
Beyond the main network, the plan also adjusts the integration of railways with major transportation hubs, including Nghi Son Port (Thanh Hoa), Hiep Phuoc Port (Ho Chi Minh City), Tan Son Nhat International Airport, Long Thanh International Airport, Hanoi’s second international airport, Gia Binh Airport, and the Van Lam (Hung Yen) and Gia Binh (Bac Ninh) dry ports.
Other details remain unchanged as per Decision No. 1769 issued by the Prime Minister, approving the railway network master plan for the period 2021-2030, with a vision towards 2050.
The preliminary total investment for the North-South high-speed railway project is approximately 1.7 million billion VND (equivalent to over 67 billion USD). Currently, Truong Hai Group (THACO) and VinSpeed Railway Investment and Development JSC, part of the Vingroup ecosystem, have submitted proposals to invest in the project.
Based on the total investment and capital plan, both THACO and VinSpeed estimate the project’s total cost at 61.35 billion USD, excluding land clearance and resettlement expenses.
THACO plans to contribute 20% of the total capital (nearly 12.3 billion USD) through equity and legal domestic fundraising. The remaining 49 billion USD will be borrowed from domestic and international credit institutions. THACO requests government guarantees and full interest support for 30 years, secured by assets created from the project.
VinSpeed also proposes a 20%-80% capital contribution structure. The company commits to arranging 20% of the capital, equivalent to 12.27 billion USD (excluding land clearance costs), and requests a 49 billion USD state loan at a 0% interest rate for 35 years.
Regarding timelines, compared to the 10-year state-led implementation, VinSpeed pledges completion within 5 years, while THACO aims for 7 years in two phases: the Hanoi – Ha Tinh and Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh City sections in 5 years, with the remaining sections completed in the following 2 years.
Both companies propose receiving adjacent land along the railway for real estate development as part of their benefits.
Vietnam to Launch New High-Speed Rail Lines
Deputy Prime Minister Trần Hồng Hà has signed a decision approving the adjusted master plan for the railway network during the 2021-2030 period, with a vision extending to 2050. This plan includes the development of several new high-speed railway lines in Vietnam.
Vietnam Launches New High-Speed Rail Line: 350 km/h Speeds, Just 30-Minute Travel Time
Revitalizing Vietnam’s railway infrastructure, the adjusted master plan introduces a rebranded, scaled high-speed rail network along the North-South axis, while integrating the Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed rail route as a strategic addition.
Dong Nai Issues Critical Directive on 82km High-Speed Railway Route
The People’s Committee of Dong Nai Province has mandated that all localities along the preliminary route of the North-South high-speed railway project must conduct a thorough assessment. This includes determining the project’s scale, scope, and the number of households and properties affected. All reviews must be finalized by October 30.
Vietnam to Break Ground on $8.3 Billion Mega Rail Project Spanning Six Provinces in Just Over a Month
The Prime Minister has directed the Ministry of Construction, the Ministry of Finance, and local authorities to expedite procedures, clear land, and ensure the project breaks ground on December 19, 2025.
Vietnam’s Largest Province Plans to Relocate 952 Households for $75 Billion High-Speed Rail Project
Accelerating resettlement efforts in Lam Dong to facilitate the North-South High-Speed Railway Project.
