Deputy Minister of Construction Nguyen Danh Huy has just signed Decision No. 1093/QD-BXD approving the adjustment of the Railway Network Plan for the period 2021 - 2030, with a vision to 2050.
According to the plan, the Kep - Chi Linh railway line is adjusted to the Kep - Ha Long - Cai Lan line. At the same time, the Ministry of Construction adjusts the management and investment orientation of existing railway lines until 2050; updates the scope, scale and investment roadmap for many new national railway lines, along with the passenger hub station system in Hanoi area.
Currently, the national railway network includes 7 lines with a total length of about 2,510km. Of which, 6 lines are invested in phases before and after 2030, including three 1,000mm gauge lines: Hanoi - Ho Chi Minh City (1,726km), Hanoi - Lao Cai (296km), Hanoi - Hai Phong (102km); and three 1,000mm - 1,435mm cage lines: Hanoi - Thai Nguyen (55km), Hanoi - Lang Son (167km) and Kep - Ha Long - Cai Lan (108km). The Kep - Luu Xa line is 56km long, 1,435mm gauge, expected to be invested after 2030.
For newly built railway lines, the plan identifies 10 lines to be implemented in phases before and after 2030. In which, the Northern region has four lines including: Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong (363km), Hanoi - Dong Dang (156km), Hai Phong - Ha Long - Mong Cai (187km) and the eastern belt line of Hanoi, Ngoc Hoi - Kim Son section (31km).
The southern region has four routes including: Bien Hoa - Vung Tau (132km), Ho Chi Minh City - Loc Ninh (128km), Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho - Ca Mau (320km) and An Binh - Saigon - Tan Kien (33km).
The Central region has two routes: Vung Ang - Mu Gia (105km) and Thap Cham - Da Lat (84km).
The remaining six routes are oriented to be invested after 2030, including: Da Nang - Quang Ngai - Gia Lai - Dak Lak - Lam Dong - Dong Nai (555km); Ninh Binh - Hung Yen - Hai Phong (64km); the western belt of Hanoi section Ngoc Hoi - Thach Loi (54km); Ho Chi Minh City - Moc Bai (61km); My Thuy - Lao Bao (114km) and Thai Nguyen - Tuyen Quang - Lao Cai (73km).
For high-speed railways, the plan identifies two lines. In which, the North - South line, 1,541km long, is invested in two phases before and after 2030, and the Hanoi - Quang Ninh line is invested before 2030.
Orienting to 2050, the Ministry of Construction sets a goal to gradually renovate, upgrade and modernize the existing railway system to improve operating capacity, meet the needs of passenger and cargo transport; complete connectivity at railway hubs; maintain and develop branch lines connecting seaports; and continue to expand stations associated with specialized railways and local railways.
The Ministry of Construction will also study converting the function of some existing railway lines or sections, assigning localities to manage, operate and exploit more effectively.
For newly built railway lines, investment will be implemented in stages, suitable to transportation needs and resource mobilization capacity, ensuring investment efficiency.
Planning prioritizes the development of routes with inter-regional and international connectivity roles such as the Ninh Binh - Hung Yen - Hai Phong coastal route; Hai Phong - Ha Long - Mong Cai connecting China; Thai Nguyen - Tuyen Quang - Lao Cai; My Thuy - Lao Bao connecting Laos; Ho Chi Minh City - Tay Ninh oriented to connect Cambodia.
The plan also prioritizes the Da Nang - Quang Ngai - Gia Lai - Dak Lak - Lam Dong - Dong Nai route to connect the South Central Coast region with the Central Highlands; restore the Thap Cham - Da Lat route and continue to complete the railway system at key areas.
