The Ministry of Transport has established an appraisal council for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line linking with China’s Yunnan province.

Stretching more than 447 km, the line will pass through ten northern cities and provinces in Vietnam - Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Hai Phong and Quang Ninh.

There will be 41 stations, with Lao Cai serving as a rail yard and international interchange.

The project requires estimated investment capital of over VND183.8 trillion ($7.2 billion).

It consists of two phases, with the first building the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong section before 2030, and the second building the Hai Phong - Quang Ninh section after 2030.

The appraisal council has 30 members and is chaired by Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Danh Huy.