Vietnam is set to commence the construction of a 417-kilometer railway line connecting the northern port city of Haiphong to the Chinese border before the end of 2024. The announcement was made on December 22 by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who confirmed that the project would be submitted to the National Assembly for formal approval in February 2025.
The railway will run from Haiphong through Hanoi to Lao Cai Province, which borders Yunnan Province in southern China. It is expected to become the first of two high-speed rail links connecting Vietnam and China, with the aim of strengthening trade and tourism between the neighboring countries.
Inspired by Regional Success Stories
The decision to proceed with the project follows successful implementations of high-speed rail lines in northern Laos and China, which have demonstrated the potential for enhancing connectivity and economic growth. Discussions between officials from Vietnam and China on the railway have gained momentum in recent months.
In August, Vietnamese President To Lam discussed high-speed rail connections with Chinese Premier Xi Jinping during a state visit to Beijing. China has previously expressed its readiness to support Vietnam in boosting railway infrastructure, including offering grants for the Haiphong-to-Kunming railway and other transport links from southern China to Hanoi.
A Strategic Investment Under BRI
Vietnam’s Ministry of Transport has been working on a pre-feasibility report for the project, which could align with China’s Belt and Road Initiative (BRI). The Southeast Asian nation has earmarked approximately $11 billion for the railway, underscoring its commitment to modernizing infrastructure and enhancing regional connectivity.
With construction slated to begin shortly, the Haiphong-to-China border railway is set to become a significant milestone in Vietnam’s efforts to bolster trade, tourism, and strategic partnerships with its northern neighbor.
