Ministry of Construction Updates Hai Phong on ‘Mega Project’ Railway Plan

The Ministry of Construction has recently sent an official dispatch to the People’s Committee of Hai Phong City, addressing the locality’s proposal to expedite the commencement of the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project.

In line with the Prime Minister’s directive to launch Component Project 1 on December 19th, the Ministry of Construction is actively directing the Railway Project Management Board to conduct surveys, prepare the Feasibility Study Report, and finalize post-basic designs. Simultaneously, close coordination with local authorities is underway to facilitate land clearance efforts.

To date, all parties have reached a consensus on the route alignment and station locations with local authorities. The Feasibility Study Report for Component Project 1 has been finalized and approved by the Ministry during the final review meeting, allowing the investor and consultant to complete and submit it for official approval.

The Railway Project Management Board is currently marking land clearance boundaries, aiming to hand over the sites to local authorities before November 10th for the five stations set to commence construction: Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Bac Hong, Luong Tai, and Hai Duong Nam. Progress is on track and aligns with the Prime Minister’s directives.

According to the Pre-Feasibility Study Report prepared by the TEDI – TRICC – HP – CCTDI consortium, the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway will originate at the border crossing in Lao Cai and terminate at Lach Huyen Station in Hai Phong City.

The line will feature 3 terminal stations, 20 mixed-use stations, and 8 technical stations, with an average inter-station distance of nearly 13 km. The longest distance between consecutive stations is approximately 30 km (Bao Thang – Sa Pa), while the shortest is over 5 km (Bac Hong – Dong Anh).

Lao Cai Station (newly constructed, 1,435 mm gauge), located 1.6 km south of the existing station, will cover 60 hectares and include 12 tracks. Phu Tho Station in Phu Ho Commune (Phu Tho Province) will span 22 hectares with 6 tracks. Bac Hong Station in Dong Anh District (Hanoi) will cover 9 hectares, featuring 3 tracks at 1,435 mm gauge and 1 track at 1,000 mm gauge.

Nam Hai Phong Station, to be built in Kien Thuy (Hai Phong City), will cover 51 hectares with 24 passenger platforms, 2 cargo tracks, and facilities for freight train operations, passenger services, and locomotive maintenance.

Under National Assembly Resolution No. 187/2025/QH15, the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project is allocated a total investment of over 200 trillion VND (approximately $8.3 billion). The main line between Lao Cai Station and Lach Huyen Port Station is designed for speeds up to 160 km/h, with branch lines at 80 km/h and the Hanoi section at 120 km/h.

In an earlier interview with Tien Phong Newspaper, Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Danh Huy stated that the initial phase will involve constructing a single-track line supporting passenger trains at 160 km/h and freight trains at 120 km/h. This design will meet transportation demands until 2040-2050. Post-2050, the Ministry plans to upgrade critical sections to double-track based on traffic needs, efficiency, and resource availability.

Deputy Minister Huy highlighted that the Hanoi section could include an additional single-track loop line with a 1,000 mm gauge to connect northern and southern routes. When upgrading this section to double-track, the 1,000 mm gauge track can be expanded to 1,435 mm, streamlining future enhancements.