Preparation for the investment in the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway

According to the Ministry of Transport, preparing for the investment in this railway line is necessary and urgent. Based on the regulations of the State Budget Law and Decree 163/2016, and due to the pressing need to implement the project, the Ministry of Transport proposes that the competent authorities allocate VND 4 billion from the central budget reserve for 2024 to promptly carry out the necessary procedures for project investment research.

Necessary and urgent

According to the Vietnam - China Joint Statement during the visit to Vietnam by General Secretary and President of China Xi Jinping on December 12-13, 2023, both sides agreed to promote the strategic development connectivity between the two countries. They will effectively implement the "Cooperation Plan on Connectivity within the Framework of Two Corridors, One Belt with the Belt and Road Initiative between Vietnam and China," and promote the connectivity of standard gauge railways across the Vietnam - China border. They will also study and promote the construction of the standard gauge railway from Lao Cai to Hanoi to Hai Phong.

Conclusion No. 49 dated March 28, 2023, of the Politburo on the orientation for the development of Vietnam's railway transport until 2030, with a vision to 2045, includes a direction: "By 2030, strive to commence construction of several routes connecting international gateway ports (such as Hanoi-Hai Phong, Bien Hoa-Vung Tau) and international border gates (such as Hanoi-Lao Cai, Hanoi-Lang Son)."

In Conclusion No. 72 dated February 23, 2024, of the Politburo on continuing the implementation of Resolution No. 13/2012 of the 11th Central Committee on building synchronous infrastructure to make our country an industrialized nation towards modernization, there is a direction: "Prioritize investment resources for the North-South high-speed railway project and the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong routes..."

In Notice No. 57 dated February 19, 2024, the Government Office directed: "Focus on investing in the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong route (strive to commence construction in 2025)."

Previously, the Ministry of Transport had issued a decision assigning the Railway Project Management Board to organize the preparation of a Pre-Feasibility Study Report for the investment project of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line.

According to the Railway Network Planning for the period 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050, the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line is oriented to connect from Lao Cai to Nam Hai Phong station, with a length of approximately 380 km (connecting the international gateway port of Hai Phong with the Dinh Vu, Nam Do Son, and Lach Huyen port areas). It will be a double-track, 1,435mm standard gauge, electrified railway; the investment timeline is until 2030 and beyond 2030.