A railway project connecting Hanoi with the Chinese border would cost around VND100 trillion (USD4.34 billion), according to the Ministry of Transport.
The Ministry of Transport issued a press release on Monday about the project which belongs to the railway sector’s investment strategy until 2050 approved by the prime minister.
According to the Chinese consulting firm proposed planning, the 390-kilometre line will run through the eight localities of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Haiphong.
Part of the track will be laid between Lao Cai and China’s Hekou County.
The route will have the global standard track gauge of 1.435 mm, instead of the country’s current 1,000 mm.
The project will have 73 bridges and 38 stations along with an annual goods transportation capacity of some 10 million tonnes. Train speed would be 160 kilometres per hour.
The proposal will be considered by Vietnam Railway Authority before the submission to the prime minister.
The Ministry of Transport has worked with localities on the project. The ministry will continue seeking opinions from ministries, agencies as well as experts for this.
The ministry added that the project plays a very important part in forming the northern railway network in the north of the Red River Delta region. It also helps to connect the East-West economic corridor and the northwest and Haiphong seaport area.
