A pre-feasibility report on the construction of the North-South express railway link, with an estimated cost of nearly $60 billion, is currently being assessed by the State Appraisal Council, according to the Ministry of Transport (MoT).

The ministry consulted various other ministries, central organizations, experts, and scientists to develop and revise the pre-feasibility report for the project. It has asked for written agreement from 20 cities and provinces the railway will pass through.

MoT also tapped the experience of many countries that have developed express railways, including Spain.

The 1,435 mm dual gauge railway will be around 1,545 km in length and run through 20 cities and provinces, including Hanoi, Da Nang, and Ho Chi Minh City.

The line will allow speeds of up to 320 km/h.