According to information from Thang Long Project Management Board under the Ministry of Construction, the National Assembly has already approved the investment policy for the project.

The railway will span approximately 1,541km, beginning at Ngoc Hoi Station in Hanoi and ending at Thu Thiem Station in Ho Chi Minh City.

The route will pass through 15 provinces and centrally governed cities, including Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Hue, Da Nang, Quang Ngai, Gia Lai, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City.

The project involves construction of an entirely new double-track railway with a standard gauge of 1,435mm, designed for speeds of up to 350kph and an axle load capacity of 22.5 tonnes.

The line will include 23 passenger stations, five freight stations and a synchronized system of rolling stock and equipment.

The railway is primarily intended for passenger transport while also serving dual-use purposes related to national defense and security, and handling freight transport when necessary.

The system will utilize electrified rail technology designed to ensure modernity, synchronization, safety and operational efficiency.

Under the implementation plan, the project will prepare a Front-End Engineering Design (FEED) in place of the conventional basic design within the feasibility study report.

The preliminary total investment is estimated at more than VND1.7 quadrillion, equivalent to around USD67.34 billion.

A representative from Thang Long Project Management Board said the feasibility study preparation, appraisal and approval process, alongside groundbreaking activities, are scheduled to take place between the fourth quarter of 2026 and the fourth quarter of 2028.

The railway is expected to be substantially completed by 2035.

Land clearance will be separated into independent projects managed by provincial and municipal authorities along the route, with completion targeted by the fourth quarter of 2028.

To meet the schedule for land clearance and groundbreaking, the selection of consulting firms for the feasibility study is expected to begin in June 2026.

An interim feasibility study report prepared by consultants is scheduled for completion by June 2027.

Speaking at a recent roadshow for consultancy packages related to the project, Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Xuan Dung said the railway is expected to help reshape Vietnam’s socio-economic development space, shorten geographical distances between regions and create new growth momentum for the country.

According to the deputy minister, selecting consulting firms with strong international experience and advanced technological thinking will be a decisive factor determining the project’s long-term quality and effectiveness.

The project is also seeking participation from leading global consultancy organizations with hands-on experience in high-speed railway design.

At the same time, technological solutions must ensure modern standards while remaining suitable for Vietnam’s unique terrain, geology and climate conditions, and optimize engineering design in harmony with urban planning and transit-oriented development (TOD) strategies along the route.

Vu Diep