The Vietnamese Ministry of Transport revealed plans to begin construction of two sections of the North-South high-speed railway connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City by late 2027. At a Saturday (Oct 5) meeting between government officials and various sectors, the Ministry announced that the investment plan will be submitted to Parliament for approval this month. Over the next two years, the Ministry will select consultants and conduct feasibility studies.
The Hanoi-Vinh and Nha Trang-Ho Chi Minh City sections will begin construction in late 2027, while the Vinh-Nha Trang section is scheduled to start between 2028-2029. The entire 1,541-kilometer North-South high-speed railway is expected to be completed by 2035.
The railway is designed for speeds up to 350 kilometers per hour, with an estimated cost of $67.34 billion. The Ministry stated that project funding will not rely on foreign loans. The railway will connect Ngoc Hoi station in Hanoi with Thu Thiem station in Ho Chi Minh City, passing through 20 provinces and cities. Passenger tickets will be divided into three service levels.
The Deputy Prime Minister has proposed extending the route beyond its current endpoints to include Quang Ninh province in the north, home to Ha Long Bay, and Ca Mau province in the southernmost region.
This ambitious infrastructure project marks a significant evolution in Vietnam’s transportation strategy since its initial proposal in 2010, when it was rejected due to cost concerns. The current $67.3 billion plan, if successfully implemented, would dramatically reduce travel time between Vietnam’s two largest cities from 30 hours to approximately 5.5 hours. By choosing to fund the project domestically rather than through foreign loans, Vietnam demonstrates both its growing economic confidence and desire to maintain strategic control over this critical infrastructure development. The project’s success could significantly impact regional connectivity and economic development across Vietnam’s 20 provinces and major cities.
