Minister of Construction Addresses the Decade-Long Stalled Hanoi – Quang Ninh Railway Project

Unfinished Railway Project

In a petition submitted to the National Assembly ahead of the 10th Session of the 15th term, voters from Bac Ninh province highlighted the Lim – Pha Lai railway project, which began in 2005 but has been suspended since 2011. The prolonged stagnation of this project has led to the isolation of residential areas, abandoned land, and direct impacts on local production and daily life.

Responding to the petition, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh stated that the Lim – Pha Lai line is part of the Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan project. The project was halted and its progress delayed since 2011 in accordance with Resolution 11 issued by the Government on public investment cuts.

The Ministry of Construction acknowledges the prolonged challenges the project has caused for the local community during its suspension.

According to the Minister of Transport and Construction, the new planning for Vietnam’s railway network for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, has adjusted investment priorities. The Lim – Pha Lai line is now designated as a passenger railway, connecting Hanoi with Quang Ninh.

For the entire Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan route, the plan allows the existing Lim – Pha Lai section to serve as a feeder road, running parallel to the Noi Bai – Ha Long Expressway. Additionally, the Kep – Ha Long – Cai Lan line will be upgraded to accommodate both passenger and freight services.

The Railway Project Management Unit is currently finalizing the adjusted pre-feasibility study report, which will serve as the basis for the Ministry of Construction to submit to competent authorities for consideration. The goal is to reinclude the project in the medium-term public investment plan for the 2026-2030 period.

Anticipated Hanoi – Quang Ninh Transport Corridor

The Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan project was approved for investment by the Prime Minister in 2004, funded by government bonds with a total investment of over VND 7,660 billion. The 131 km line connects Yen Vien Station (Hanoi) to Cai Lan Port (Quang Ninh), designed to modern standards allowing passenger trains to travel at 120 km/h and freight trains at 80 km/h.

Initial calculations indicated that upon completion, the travel time for passenger trains from Ha Long to Yen Vien would be reduced to approximately 1.5-2 hours, creating a high-capacity, cost-effective, and environmentally friendly transport corridor between Hanoi and Quang Ninh.

However, due to its inclusion in the list of projects subject to public investment cuts, the project has been “frozen” since 2014. By the time of suspension, over VND 4,320 billion had been disbursed, equivalent to 56% of the total investment. While some components were completed and put into operation, most remain unfinished, resulting in resource wastage and prolonged impacts on the lives of residents along the route.

In mid-October, the Ministry of Construction proposed to the Prime Minister the reactivation of the project, aiming for completion before 2030. The agreed plan is to maintain the Yen Vien – Lim section, which is still operational; continue investment in the Lim – Pha Lai segment; and upgrade the existing Pha Lai – Ha Long line to ensure connectivity from Hanoi to Cai Lan Port.

The Ministry also proposed changing the track gauge from dual gauge to the standard 1,435 mm gauge, maximizing the use of already purchased materials. Any surplus will be handed over to the Vietnam Railways Corporation for maintenance of existing lines. The adjusted total investment is estimated at approximately VND 9,990 billion, with an additional VND 5,560 billion required, planned for allocation during the 2026-2030 period.

For localities along the route, especially Bac Ninh, the project’s reactivation is more than just about transport infrastructure—it represents hope for closing a chapter on a project that has been stalled for over a decade, daily affecting the lives and development space of the region.

– 13:14 27/12/2025