The Government of Vietnam is expected to select a consultancy contractor in June 2026 for the feasibility study and front-end engineering design of the proposed USD 67.34 billion North–South high-speed railway project. The Ministry of Construction announced the timeline during a recent project roadshow and stated that the consultancy will prepare the studies required ahead of the project’s construction phase.
The selected consultant is expected to complete the midterm feasibility study report by June 2027, supporting appraisal and approval procedures before construction begins in the fourth quarter of 2028. The proposed railway will extend approximately 1,541 km from Ngoc Hoi Station in Hanoi to Thu Thiem Station in Ho Chi Minh City, passing through 15 provinces and cities. The double-track corridor will use standard gauge track of 1,435 mm and is designed for operating speeds of up to 350 km/hr.
Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction stated that it is encouraging international consultancy firms to partner with domestic companies to support technology transfer and capacity building for Vietnamese railway engineers. Land acquisition and clearance works will be implemented as separate projects managed by local authorities, with completion targeted before the start of main construction activities in late 2028.