The Railway Project Management Board under the Ministry of Transport has proposed the construction of the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway, with an estimated investment of 211.03 trillion VND (approximately $8.7 billion).

The project is planned to utilize concessional loans from the Chinese government and aims to enhance regional connectivity and boost economic development.

Project details and scope

The railway will adopt the international standard gauge of 1,435 mm and feature electrification.

It will connect Vietnam’s Lao Cai border station with the Chinese railway network at Hekou North Station, continuing through Hanoi and ending at Lach Huyen Port in Hai Phong.

The main railway line spans 388.35 km, including:

A 383.24 km section from Lao Cai Station to Lach Huyen Port Station.

A 5.11 km segment connecting Lao Cai Station to the rail border.

Additionally, branch lines include:

7.89 km from Nam Hai Phong to Nam Dinh Vu Port.

2.18 km linking Yen Thuong Station to Yen Vien Station.

The railway will traverse nine provinces and cities: Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, and Hai Phong.

It will feature 30 stations, including three train assembly stations, 19 mixed-use stations, and eight technical stations.

Design and implementation

The railway's design speed is set at 160 km/h for the main line and 120 km/h for sections passing through Hanoi. The border section and branch lines will operate at 80 km/h.

To optimize investment efficiency, the project will be divided into two phases:

Phase 1 (by 2030): Construction of the single-track railway, with land clearance for full-scale infrastructure.

Phase 2 (post-2050): Completion of a double-track railway and additional branch lines from Nam Hai Phong to Nam Dinh Vu.

Funding breakdown

The project's total cost is projected at 211.03 trillion VND, equivalent to 62.58 billion yuan or $8.7 billion.

135.6 trillion VND will come from Chinese concessional loans to cover construction, equipment, vehicles, design consultation, and contingency costs.

75.43 trillion VND will be sourced from Vietnam’s counterpart funds for project management, value-added tax, other consultancy expenses, land clearance, resettlement, loan interest, and additional contingencies.

The implementation period is estimated at six years, starting from the approval of the project and the loan agreement.

This project aligns with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s directive to submit the railway investment plan to the National Assembly in February 2025, ensuring procedural completion for groundbreaking by December 10, 2025.

The railway aims to strengthen connections with China, boost trade through Hai Phong Port, and serve as a backbone for regional development.

N. Huyen