Hanoi, November 5, 2024 – The Europe Today: The Vietnam Railway Administration (VRA) has proposed a major railway project to the Ministry of Transport, aiming to enhance freight capacity between Vietnam and China. Spanning over 447 km through ten cities and provinces, the Lào Cai-Hà Nội-Hải Phòng-Quảng Ninh railway line will connect Lào Cai at the Chinese border to Cái Lân Station in Hạ Long City, Quảng Ninh Province.
This route will facilitate improved rail transport and maximize cargo movement efficiency, addressing increasing freight demands. Key segments include 64.82 km in Lào Cai, 76.95 km in Yên Bái, and 81.66 km in Hải Phòng, among others. In Hải Phòng, branches to Lạch Huyện Port, Nam Đồ Sơn Port, and Đình Vũ Port will expand connectivity to key shipping points, while a new 25.95 km line in Quảng Ninh will enhance accessibility within the province.
The ambitious project includes 145 bridges over significant rivers like the Hồng (Red) and Bạch Đằng, and 42 tunnels concentrated in Lào Cai and Yên Bái provinces. The railway will feature 41 stations, including four main freight stations at Lạch Huyện Port, Nam Đồ Sơn, Nam Đình Vũ, and Đình Vũ, with Lào Cai designated as the international interchange.
The estimated cost is VNĐ183.85 trillion ($7.27 billion), covering land clearance, construction, and contingency. By 2030, the VRA aims to complete the Lào Cai-Hà Nội-Hải Phòng section, with the Hải Phòng-Quảng Ninh segment to follow. Investment sources will include a combination of central budget funds, preferential loans, and social capital.
