Vietnam plans to construct the Hanoi-Vinh and Nha Trang – Ho Chi Minh City, the first two sections of the North-South express railway project in the 2028-2029 period.

The North-South express railway is set to be completed by 2050. Photo: Lam Anh

Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The unveiled at the conference marking the launch of railway planning for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050, on November 1.

“In case the project is approved in this Government term [2021-2026], the ministry would focus on design and site clearance so that the construction works can start from the 2028-2029 period,” The added.

Along with the first two sections, Vietnam would prioritize the construction of certain railway routes connecting major seaports that serve as the country’s international gateways in the northern city of Haiphong and the southern of Ba Ria – Vung Tau; connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Cantho, and international destinations of China, Laos or Cambodia.

Given the expectation that the North-South express railway would be completed by 2050, Vietnam would have a network of 25 railway routes with a total length of 6,354 kilometers, including those starting from Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, or connecting between seaports, industrial parks, and economic zones.

This would consist of seven existing railway routes with a length of 2,440 kilometers and nine new routes of 2,362 kilometers.

To realize those goals, The noted total investment capital until 2030  estimated at VND240 trillion (US$10.5 billion) would be needed and sourced from the state budget, private sector, and other legal funds.

The planning also expects the railway sector to carry a total freight of 11.8 million tons, or 0.27% of the total, and handle a passenger volume of 460 million, or 4.40%.

According to The, this is the first time that Vietnam carries out five transportation planning of aviation, road, railway, inland waterway, and maritime simultaneously.

So far, the Government has approved three, namely road, railway, and maritime, while the remaining two are in the final stage of completion.