On Tuesday evening, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting of the Government’s Standing Committee to review progress on major railway projects and the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant.

Regarding the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear project, the Prime Minister noted that the Government has focused on improving the legal framework needed for its implementation, with several laws, decrees, and circulars already issued.

Vietnam has held multiple discussions with Russia, and both sides are currently negotiating an intergovernmental agreement on cooperation for the construction of the nuclear plant.

The Standing Committee agreed to resolve remaining obstacles by January 2026 to ensure project implementation, while also addressing issues such as land clearance and other practical challenges for this strategic development.

For the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway, the first component project on infrastructure and station connectivity has been approved. Five stations began construction on December 19, and design work for the remaining 16 is underway, scheduled to start in the first quarter of 2026.

Field surveys, transportation demand studies, and environmental assessments for the second component project have been completed, with a feasibility report expected by March 2026.

Regarding the North–South high-speed railway, 11 of 15 provinces along the route have completed land review and identified resettlement areas. Vietnam Electricity Group has also assessed the power grid and proposed relocation plans.

The Ministry of Science and Technology has approved 37 technical standards for high-speed rail  -  all aligned with international benchmarks. The feasibility report will determine the specific technology and scale for final consideration.

Some investors have proposed developing the high-speed North–South railway under a business–investment model, which would require special mechanisms and careful assessment of potential impacts.

As for Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City’s metro projects, Hanoi is implementing Metro Line 3 from Hanoi Station to Hoang Mai and selecting technical consultants, with the Prime Minister approving the use of ODA and foreign loans.

Metro Line 5 (Van Cao–Hoa Lac) has been approved and started construction, while land clearance procedures are in progress.

Metro Line 2 (Nam Thang Long–Tran Hung Dao) broke ground in October 2025 and is being adjusted under the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model. The underground section of Metro Line 3 (Cau Giay–Hanoi Station) has reached 72% completion.

In Ho Chi Minh City, preparation continues for Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh–Tham Luong), which is finalizing procedures to start construction on January 19, 2026.

After reviewing reports, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the North–South high-speed railway is a project of great importance to the Party, the State, and the Vietnamese people, who have long awaited its realization.

He instructed the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Construction to review and refine all standards based on global and domestic experience to select a railway technology that meets technical, economic, political, diplomatic, and security criteria  -  while ensuring technology transfer and sustainable operation.

By January 2026, the Ministry of Construction and relevant agencies must complete an assessment of different investment models and propose mechanisms and policies for each, to be submitted to the Government.

For the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway, the Prime Minister noted that China has acknowledged Vietnam’s faster progress  -  between 1.5 and 2 years ahead of similar regional projects. He requested the Ministry of Construction to meet or exceed timelines for component project 1 and finalize the pre-feasibility study and rail connection agreement between Vietnam and China by March 2026.

The Prime Minister also directed ministries to establish detailed plans for human resource training and to maximize localization in order to strengthen Vietnam’s railway industry.

For the Dong Dang–Hanoi and Mong Cai–Ha Long–Hai Phong railway links connecting to China, he instructed the Ministry of Construction to expedite the planning process.

Regarding urban rail systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, the Prime Minister advised both cities to draw lessons from operating lines and to select technologies and standards that are compatible, interoperable, and future-proof  -  ensuring modern, efficient, and sustainable systems.

Tran Thuong