North-South High-Speed Railway Investment is a Major Step Forward for Vietnam’s Transport Infrastructure

DNHN - The high-speed railway project, currently being implemented by the Ministry of Transport, has received special attention from the community and marks a significant step forward in improving the quality and efficiency of the national transport system.

Accordingly, the high-speed railway project in Vietnam is one of the country’s most important infrastructure projects in the coming period, aiming to improve the quality of transport and facilitate travel throughout the country. The Ministry of Transport (MoT) is implementing this project to build a modern railway network that meets the needs of transporting goods and people quickly and safely.

Specifically, the high-speed railway project in Vietnam includes the construction and development of new railway lines, designed to achieve high operating speeds of 200 km/h or more. These railway lines will connect major cities and key economic regions of the country, facilitating travel and economic development.

The benefits of the project are to improve transport efficiency, the high-speed railway system helps to reduce road congestion, traffic jams and travel time. This means increasing economic efficiency and reducing environmental pollution.

Thus, the high-speed railway network will facilitate the transportation of goods and the promotion of Vietnam’s brand. It also creates many new investment opportunities, attracts domestic and foreign capital, and promotes economic development in key economic regions. In addition, the high-speed railway project is considered a green means of transport, with energy-saving fuel consumption and reduced polluting emissions compared to personal vehicles. By encouraging people to use high-speed rail, this project contributes positively to environmental protection and sustainable development.

As planned, the high-speed railway project in Vietnam has achieved remarkable achievements. The railway lines have been built and implemented, such as the Hanoi - Hai Phong high-speed railway line and the North-South railway line. At the same time, the MoT is also continuing to carry out procedures to implement the project in the coming time, to expand the high-speed railway network and improve the quality of transport services.

According to the MoT, according to the National Master Plan for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, and the railway network planning for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050, the high-speed railway line on the North-South axis has a scale of double track, 1,435mm gauge, with a length of about 1,545km, the investment schedule before 2030.

Previously, the Politburo issued Conclusion 49/2023 on the orientation of Vietnam’s railway transport development to 2030, with a vision to 2045, requiring the project to study, analyse, evaluate, and refer to international experience to select a modern investment and construction option, with a long-term vision, promoting the advantages and potentials of the country, in line with the development trend of the world; the goal is to strive to complete the approval of the project’s investment policy by 2025.

Implementing the conclusion of the Politburo, the Prime Minister established the Steering Committee for the construction and implementation of the project on the investment policy for the high-speed railway on the North-South axis and key national projects. The Steering Committee has met to give direction on the content of the North-South high-speed railway project.

Implementing the direction of the Steering Committee, the MoT has consulted with the Central Party Committees, the Committees of the National Assembly and the ministries and branches to finalise and submit to the Government’s Standing Committee.

As planned, after the North-South high-speed railway project is approved by the competent authority, the MoT will complete the project’s Pre-Feasibility Study Report and submit it to the National Assembly for approval of the investment policy during the term of the 15th National Assembly and strive to start construction of the two priority sections before 2030.

It can be seen that the high-speed railway project in Vietnam implemented by the MoT has made an important contribution to the development of the country’s transport infrastructure and economy. With outstanding benefits such as improving transport efficiency, promoting economic development, saving energy and protecting the environment, this project has created new development opportunities and brought convenience to people. The progress of the high-speed railway project has been and continues to be a clear testament to Vietnam’s sustainable development in the field of transport infrastructure.

Nghe Nhan