An estimated VND240 trillion ($10.2 billion) is required for the development of railway infrastructure by 2030, under a plan on policies, solutions, and resources to conduct railway network planning in the 2021-2030 period and vision to 2050.

The plan has been approved by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha.

Total land demand for railway infrastructure in the period will be 26,000 ha.

Funds will be used to upgrade existing lines, build a high-speed railway, and develop new rail routes.

The State will prioritize resources to invest in developing, upgrading, and protecting national railway infrastructure to ensure that railway transport plays an important role in the national transport network.

The Ministry of Transport has been assigned to prepare investment in the high-speed North - South railway; a route connecting Ho Chi Minh City and the Mekong Delta’s Can Tho city; the Bien Hoa - Vung Tau route connected with Cai Mep - Thi Vai international port; the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh rail route connected with Long Thanh International Airport in southern Dong Nai province; and the Hanoi - Hai Phong rail route connected with Lach Huyen international port.

Construction is also planned for a rail route linking Lao Cai Railway Station with China’s Hekou North Railway Station, to form an international transport link with Vietnam’s northern neighbor and other countries.

The Ministry of Transport will prepare a list of railway projects with investment plans before 2030 to call for investment.