On the morning of November 24th, the People’s Committee of Lao Cai Province held a meeting with the Ministry of Construction to discuss the implementation of the investment project for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway line, specifically the section passing through Lao Cai Province.
The Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway line, spanning 143.29 km through 12 communes and wards in Lao Cai Province, requires a total land clearance budget of approximately VND 8,200 billion. The project includes 5 stations and 4 technical operation stations (with Van Ban technical station converted into a passenger station).
The plan involves 37 resettlement areas: 6 existing sites, 1 site for relocating a kindergarten, and 30 new construction sites. Additionally, 104 active projects in the Dong Pho Moi Industrial Park and 2 industrial clusters (Dong Pho Moi and Son Man – Van Hoa) will be relocated to facilitate the construction of the new Lao Cai station.
According to the Railway Project Management Board’s report on preparations for the groundbreaking ceremony of Component 1—infrastructure development connecting stations and the station plaza—Institute 4 has finalized the design plans for Lao Cai and Yen Bai stations.
The groundbreaking ceremony is scheduled for December 19, 2025 (Friday), lasting half a day. It will take place at 5 locations: Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Bac Hong, Luong Tai, and Hai Duong Nam stations. Lao Cai will serve as the main venue, with the other 4 locations participating virtually.
Regarding land handover for construction: Lao Cai and Phu Tho stations by November 30, 2025; Hai Duong Nam station (completed on November 14, 2025); Luong Tai station (completed on November 21, 2025); and Bac Hong station (expected by November 30, 2025). Site preparation for the ceremony will begin on November 27, 2025, with completion targeted by December 12, 2025.
The Railway Project Management Board is drafting reports, press releases, and the ceremony script in collaboration with the Construction Quality Management Department.
During the meeting, delegates discussed the station plaza design, station locations, naming, architecture, landscaping, functionality, and usage. Recommendations included retaining the names Lao Cai and Yen Bai stations; expanding the plaza area for better pedestrian and traffic flow; adopting modern station designs; allocating green space; incorporating Lao Cai’s cultural identity into the architecture; and integrating the station with existing transportation networks for seamless passenger and cargo movement.
Representatives from the design consultant, China Railway Fourth Survey and Design Institute Group Co., Ltd., presented the plaza layout and design proposals for Lao Cai and Yen Bai stations.
Design proposals for Lao Cai and Yen Bai stations (Source: Lao Cai Province’s Information Portal)
Nam Lao Cai Station is located 1.5 km opposite the existing Lao Cai Station. Nam Yen Bai Station is situated in a new planning area south of the Red River, 2 km from the city center. Each station has two architectural options.
Delegates reiterated the need to retain the names Lao Cai and Yen Bai stations, expand the plaza, and enhance pedestrian accessibility.
Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Danh Huy praised the design proposals for Lao Cai and Yen Bai stations. He supported keeping the station names to avoid confusion in management and differentiation from the “old stations.”
For Lao Cai Station, Design Option 1 was selected, with recommendations to incorporate additional façade elements reflecting Lao Cai’s cultural identity. For Yen Bai Station, Design Option 2 was preferred, with suggestions to include terraced rice field motifs.
The consultant was advised to explore bus access to the plaza and compare infrastructure investment options (bridges, tunnels) to ensure project efficiency.
Under the National Assembly’s resolution, the 419 km Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project has a total investment of VND 203,231 billion (USD 8.37 billion). The route passes through 6 provinces and cities: Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, and Hai Phong.
The starting point is at the border rail connection between the new Lao Cai Station and Hekou Station (China), in Lao Cai City. The endpoint is at Lach Huyen Port in Hai Phong City.
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