Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has asked relevant ministries and agencies to strive to complete the 1,541-km North-South high-speed railway running through 20 provinces and cities by 2035.

Chairing a meeting between standing Government members and leaders of ministries and sectors to discuss the investment policy for the project on July 11, the PM required to study the most efficient and shortest routes and choose a designed speed of some 350 kph.

PM Chinh asked for a thorough study of the total investment to ensure appropriateness, with similar projects abroad and Vietnam's unique terrain taken into consideration.

The project has a total estimated investment capital of some $58.71 billion.

The construction of the high-speed railway must ensure coherence and connectivity, and utilize and promote the efficiency of the existing transportation systems and means, PM Chinh said.