The inspection was also attended by Vice Chairman of Bac Ninh People’s Committee Ngo Tan Phuong and provincial department leaders.

Construction Minister Tran Hong Minh (far left) discusses measures to accelerate project progress.

Under Resolution 187/2025/QH15, the railway will span 419 km from Lao Cai to Lach Huyen port in Hai Phong, passing through Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hanoi and Hai Phong. The main line is 390.9 km with branch lines making up the rest.

The Bac Ninh section is 3.76 km long, covering 40.5 hectares, crossing Phu Khe, Tu Son, and Song Lieu wards.

The total project investment exceeds 203 trillion VND (8.88 billion USD), featuring 18 stations and 13 technical facilities. This is Vietnam’s first electrified railway project receving special mechanisms approved by the National Assembly.

Minister Tran Hong Minh emphasised the railway’s importance for trade, logistics, and regional industrial development.

He instructed consulting units and localities to coordinate to ensure compatibility with regional and urban plans, protect the environment and improve residents’ livelihoods.

A corner of the project area is located on the border with Bac Ninh province.

The Railway Project Management Board and consultants will complete all design dossiers by August to prepare for groundbreaking in December 2025. Options for elevated sections through Hanoi and Bac Ninh are being studied to avoid road crossings and minimise community impacts.

He requested Hanoi city and Bac Ninh province, where the project passes through, to effectively carry out compensation, land clearance and resettlement support to ensure the project’s groundbreaking can take place in December 2025.

Ministries, localities urged to speed up land clearance for North-South high-speed railway project

The Deputy PM assigned the Ministry of Construction to work with each locality the railway passes through to review the project site, particularly the sections that run through core natural forest areas, cultural heritage sites, defence-security zones, or densly populated residential areas.

 

Private firms urged to fast-track documents for North-South railway construction

The Minister of Construction has requested VinSpeed High-Speed Rail Investment and Development JSC and Truong Hai Group Joint Stock Company (Thaco) to complete documents seeking approval of their proposals to invest in the North-South high-speed railway.

 

Viet Nam, France sign MoU to strengthen railway cooperation

Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Danh Huy had a working session in Ha Noi on May 27 with Director General of the French Development Agency (AFD) Rémy Rioux and representatives of the European Union Delegation in Viet Nam to discuss cooperation in transport and construction, within the framework of French President Emmanuel Macron’s visit to Viet Nam.

Truong Hai Group proposes 61 billion USD investment in North–South high-speed railway

The North–South high-speed rail line is expected to span approximately 1,541 kilometres, connecting Ngoc Hoi Station in Hanoi with Thu Thiem Station in Ho Chi Minh City, and traversing 20 provinces and centrally governed cities.

 

PM seeks PowerChina’s support for railway industry

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has urged Power Construction Corporation of China (PowerChina) to boost cooperation with Vietnamese partners in clean energy and strategic infrastructure development, especially rail systems.

PM sets December 19 launch date for Lao Cai – Ha Noi – Hai Phong railway

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has ordered all relevant ministries and agencies to speed up preparation to break ground on the Lao Cai – Ha Noi – Hai Phong railway line on December 19.