What's New
Vietnam is preparing its authorities for the construction of a 417-kilometer-long railway that could connect the nation to China.
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said the government would spend the next year preparing its Ministry of Transport for the $11.6 billion construction project, with a project start date of December 2025.
Newsweek contacted the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport for comment on this story.
Why It Matters
Southeast Asia has long been a hub of railway development. China, Japan and the Korean Peninsula have led the global community in the advance of high-speed rail, with China alone accounting for double the combined length of the rest of the world's high-speed rails.
Vietnam's ambitious aim makes it the latest nation in the region to focus heavily on railway infrastructure, with a significant focus on international collaboration and China at the heart of the project.
What To Know
The railway line will stretch more than 400 kilometers, with key stops including Hanoi and Lang Son, a province near the Chinese border. The design allows for speeds of up to 160 kilometers per hour (about 100 mph) for passenger trains and 120 kilometers per hour (about 75 mph) for freight trains.
The line will pass through nine Vietnamese provinces and cities: Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Hai Phong. Vietnam's Ministry of Transport has been urged by the prime minister to coordinate closely with the local authorities in this area in order to make the construction process easier.
China borders Vietnam to the north and is the nation's largest trading partner. The construction process will involve building a standard gauge track to handle both passenger and freight trains, meaning trade can take place along the new routes.
What People Are Saying
Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said close coordination with the Chinese side would be essential to implement the project in a concerted manner, as it would guarantee seamless connectivity between the two countries' infrastructure.
What Happens Next
Construction is slated to begin in 2025, with preparatory work such as land acquisition and environmental impact assessments already underway. The railway is expected to be operational by 2035, with Vietnam aiming to attract global investors during its development phase.
Vietnam's Ministry of Transport has indicated that more details on the bidding process and project timeline will be released in the coming months.
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