The Government of Vietnam has announced plans to begin construction of its flagship North–South high-speed railway by the end of 2026, as authorities step up preparations for one of the country’s largest-ever infrastructure projects. The timeline was confirmed by the Ministry of Construction following a recent review meeting on major national rail developments.
Further, the land clearance will be the decisive factor in meeting the schedule, calling for the timely handover of centreline alignments, boundary markers, and land acquisition scopes to local authorities once legal procedures are completed.
For the North–South high-speed railway, relevant departments have been instructed to urgently finalise proposals on special policy mechanisms, investment models, and investor selection criteria. At the same time, project owners are required to develop a detailed implementation roadmap, including the early use of special mechanisms to appoint consultants for the feasibility study, ensuring that construction can commence as planned.
The project is expected to require an investment of around USD67 billion and is regarded as a cornerstone of Vietnam’s long-term transport and economic development strategy. The ministry is also considering the establishment of dedicated steering committees to oversee the implementation of nationally significant railway projects and maintain momentum across agencies.
In parallel, the Ministry of Construction emphasised strict adherence to milestones for the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway project, warning that delays could affect technical compatibility and bilateral commitments with China. Authorities aim to complete key surveys, designs, and contractor selection by early 2026 to keep cross-border rail connectivity plans on track.