The Transport Ministry of Vietnam is seeking feedback on a pre-feasibility study for a USD8.1 billion railway project connecting nine northern provinces, including Hanoi and Hai Phong. The 388 km electrified line will support passenger and freight services, initially operating at speeds of up to 160 kph, with future upgrades to 200 kph. The single-track, standard-gauge railway will later expand to a double-track system, significantly reducing travel times compared to road travel. Express trains will complete the journey in 3.5 hours, with freight trains taking 5.4 hours.
The project involves 30 stations and will require 2,576 hectares of land, displacing over 4,700 households. Funding will combine official development assistance, state budgets, and private investment for rolling stock and operations. Construction is slated to begin in late 2025, with operations starting in early 2031. Annual capacity is projected at 14.7 million passengers and 21.5 million metric tons of cargo by 2050.