Vietnam's National Assembly Approves Additional VND 86.08 Trillion Investment for Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong Railway

en.Wedoany.com Reported - On August 24, Vietnam's National Assembly approved an investment adjustment plan for the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway project, adding VND 86.108 trillion (approximately RMB 22.1 billion) to the investment, bringing the project's total investment to VND 289.339 trillion. The adjusted plan shifts from "reserving space for double-track and expanding later" to "building the full double-track at once," with the main line spanning approximately 363 kilometers, 26 kilometers shorter than the previous plan.

The additional investment under the adjusted plan mainly covers six items: converting the Bac Hong–Nam Hai Phong section from single-track to double-track, adding approximately VND 22.8 trillion; constructing the new Yen Vien–Gia Lam branch line of 8.4 kilometers and renovating Gia Lam Station, adding approximately VND 7.75 trillion; increasing procurement of locomotives, rolling stock, and other equipment, adding approximately VND 15.2 trillion; upgrading 22 kV power supply and train operation safety facilities along the route, adding approximately VND 1 trillion; re-optimizing certain engineering designs (flood control, climate change), adding approximately VND 3.8 trillion; and other branch line–main line connection works, project management, and construction consulting fees, totaling an increase of approximately VND 560 billion. In addition, compensation, support, and resettlement costs increased by approximately VND 34 trillion.

The core change in this adjustment is that the Bac Hong–Nam Hai Phong and Yen Vien–Gia Lam sections have been shifted from "reserving conditions for double-track and expanding later" to directly building double-track. The Vietnamese government believes that although this increases initial investment, it avoids re-construction after the railway becomes operational, reducing future expansion costs and land acquisition needs. The new Yen Vien–Gia Lam branch line will improve connectivity at the Hanoi railway hub. The Vietnamese government estimates that this branch line can shorten travel time from downtown Hanoi to relevant areas by approximately 8 minutes, generating economic benefits of about VND 10.5 billion per year.

After the adjustment, the main line spans approximately 363 kilometers in total, with a design speed of 160 km/h for the Lao Cai–Nam Hai Phong section, 120 km/h for the Hanoi hub section, and 80 km/h for the remaining sections. The branch lines total nearly 63 kilometers, an increase of approximately 35 kilometers. In terms of traction, the main line and the Yen Vien–Gia Lam branch line will use electric traction, while branch lines leading to ports will initially use diesel traction, gradually transitioning to clean energy around 2045. According to the Vietnamese government's report, approximately VND 148.48 trillion has been disbursed to date.

The Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway is one of three China–Vietnam cross-border railway corridors planned by Vietnam. Some project works, such as station construction, commenced in December 2025. The Vietnamese government has urged relevant localities to accelerate land acquisition and resettlement. Hai Phong City requires land acquisition for the project to be completed by September, and Lao Cai Province has also deployed measures to expedite related work. The project is targeted for completion and operation by 2030.