Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting on October 5 morning to discuss the north-south high-speed railway project, ahead of its submission to the National Assembly.

Participants included Standing Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh, Deputy Prime Ministers Tran Hong Ha, Le Thanh Long and Ho Duc Phoc, Minister of National Defense Phan Van Giang, Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang, and leaders of other ministries and central agencies.

In his opening remarks, Prime Minister Chinh emphasized the project's significance for national development. He urged participants to demonstrate "high determination, great effort, and decisive actions" to ensure its successful implementation.

The Prime Minister instructed ministries and sectors to focus their resources on developing the project. This includes researching and clarifying resources to be mobilized, necessary conditions, and implementation progress.

The proposed 350-kph railway will stretch 1,451 km, connecting 20 cities and provinces from Hanoi's Ngoc Hoi station to Thu Thiem station in Ho Chi Minh City.

With an estimated total investment of $67.34 billion, the Government plans to submit the project to the National Assembly for approving investment policy for the project at its upcoming session.

Construction of the first sections from Hanoi to Vinh and Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City is expected to begin in late 2027. The remaining section from Vinh to Nha Trang is scheduled to start in 2028-2029. The government aims to complete the entire project by 2035.

The meeting also addressed the implementation of railway projects connecting Vietnam with China.