Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh has approved the transfer of the Phung Hung arches, part of the Hanoi-Dong Dang railway, to the Hanoi People's Committee.
The arches are located along the railway between Hanoi and Gia Lam stations. The transfer covers the arch structures, spaces inside them and the railway safety corridor, but excludes railway infrastructure above the arches and four railway bridges.
Spanning 635 metres, the arches have an original asset value of VND 7.35 billion (USD 279,000) and remain in use.
Hanoi will be responsible for managing, maintaining and using the arches while ensuring the safety and uninterrupted operation of the national railway network.
The transfer is part of Hanoi's broader plan to redevelop the railway between Hanoi and Gia Lam stations, including Long Bien Bridge, while preserving the capital's historic and cultural landscape.
The city plans to assign Hoan Kiem Ward authorities to manage the arches and develop them into cultural, commercial, entertainment and food spaces, while the Hanoi Department of Construction will oversee the railway structures.
Passenger and tourist train services between Hanoi and Gia Lam stations will be reduced during the redevelopment, with trains terminating at Gia Lam. A bus interchange is planned near the Gia Lam Train Factory to connect passengers with central Hanoi.
Freight trains will stop using the Hanoi-Long Bien-Gia Lam section and instead be diverted via the existing Bac Hong-Van Dien western railway route.
The Construction Ministry has asked Hanoi to close unauthorised railway crossings, build access roads, expand Ha Dong Station's freight yard and establish a passenger transfer point in Gia Lam, with free transfers to Hanoi Station.
The Hanoi Department of Construction has proposed VND 61.6 billion (USD 2.34 million) for urgent works, including access roads, closing unauthorised crossings and a passenger transfer area in Gia Lam.
Free passenger transfers between Gia Lam and Hanoi stations are expected to cost about VND 9.8 billion (USD 373,000) a year.
Vietnam Railways has said railway projects in Hanoi should not disrupt the national rail network and proposed transferring the existing Ngoc Hoi-Yen Vien line only after replacement routes are completed.