The Ministry of Construction has asked Quang Tri Province to coordinate preparations for detailed planning of the My Thuy-Lao Bao railway.
The proposed line will use the standard 1,435-mm gauge and is included in the national railway network plan for 2021-2030, with a vision to 2050.
Under railway regulations, the ministry is responsible for preparing, appraising and approving detailed plans for the line and its stations, while Quang Tri authorities will oversee planning for transit-oriented development areas along the route.
My Thuy International Port Joint Venture Company has offered to provide funding for the planning work.
The ministry welcomed the proposal, saying private organisations and individuals are encouraged to provide resources for planning. It said such support must be voluntary, non-profit and must not influence the direction or technical content of the planning process.
Quang Tri authorities have also been asked to provide information on railway development in neighbouring Laos, particularly around the Lao Bao border area, before further steps are considered.
Vietnam's existing railway network comprises seven lines with a combined length of about 2,510 kilometres.
The national railway plan includes 16 new standard-gauge lines. Ten are scheduled for development in the period before and after 2030, including Lao Cai-Hanoi-Haiphong, Hanoi-Dong Dang, Bien Hoa-Vung Tau and HCM City-Can Tho-Ca Mau.
Six other routes are earmarked for investment after 2030, including the 114-km My Thuy-Lao Bao line, the 555-km Danang-Quang Ngai-Gia Lai-Dak Lak-Lam Dong-Dong Nai railway and the 73-km Thai Nguyen-Tuyen Quang-Lao Cai line.
Other post-2030 projects include Ninh Binh-Hung Yen-Haiphong, HCM City-Moc Bai and the western section of Hanoi's railway belt.
The proposed My Thuy-Lao Bao line forms part of a broader expansion of the country's standard-gauge railway network planned through 2050.