The Ministry of Transport has unveiled a $8.7 billion plan for a railway linking Lao Cai, Hanoi, and Hai Phong, with construction expected to begin by late 2025.

Vietnam Railways successfully transported over 7 million passengers in 2024, earning a post-tax profit of 220 billion VND ($9.2 million USD) despite natural disasters and infrastructure challenges.

A protocol related to railway transport cooperation between Vietnam and China was signed at the 44th Vietnam-China border railway conference held in Hanoi on December 12.

Ho Chi Minh City will need about 40.21 billion USD for constructing seven urban railway lines with a total length of about 355km by 2035, its Transport Department said.

Vietnam and China have agreed to collaborate on constructing three standard-gauge railway lines, marking a new phase in their comprehensive partnership.

The Railway Transport Joint Stock Company will operate an additional 11 trains with 5,000 extra seats to meet the high travel demand during the upcoming Lunar New Year (Tet) holidays 2025.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City must complete their construction master plans and submit to the Prime Minister for consideration before December 25.

The Vietnam Railway Authority has proposed a nearly VND 184 trillion ($7.7 billion) plan for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong - Quang Ninh railway, stretching 447.66 km across 10 provinces and cities.

The line, which will cross ten provinces, will extend approximately 427km, beginning at Lào Cai station, where it connects with the Chinese railway and end at Hạ Long station, part of the Kép-Hạ Long line.

The government should focus on building infrastructure, while the private sector equips it with supporting facilities, from which they can generate profits to recover their investments, say experts.

A 48-km railway line linking HCM City to the under-construction Long Thanh airport in neighbouring Dong Nai Province will be built between 2026 and 2029, costing VNĐ84.7 trillion (US$3.42 billion).

After six consecutive train derailments in Hue, the Ministry of Transport has ordered the Vietnam Railway Corporation (VNR) to take full responsibility should further incidents occur in Phu Loc district, Thua Thien Hue Province.

The newly approved plan for managing and exploiting State-owned railway infrastructure is key to enhancing and boosting the performance of the Việt Nam Railway Corporation (VNR).

The ticket prices will be categorised into three tiers, reflecting different target demographics and levels of comfort to accommodate passengers’ budgets and attract ridership.

Six train derailments in two months have prompted Thua Thien Hue’s Traffic Safety Committee to take urgent action and request assistance from the Ministry of Transport.

The Ministry of Transport (MoT) estimates that about VNĐ2.9 trillion (US$118.3 million) is needed to repair highways from Thanh Hoá central province to the northern provinces.

The Ministry of Transport has proposed a significant overhaul of Vietnam's railway management system, as outlined in the draft Revised Railway Law.

The Ministry of Transport said priority will be given to developing the railway to promote its advantages in transporting large volumes, its speed, safety, convenience, cost and for how it protects the environment.

Customers, especially international tourists, will find it easy to buy tickets online and pay with their bank cards.