The city has asked the Ministry of Construction to consider funding the project from the central budget as part of efforts to develop Tran De into a major maritime gateway for the region.
Under national planning, Tran De is set to become a major Mekong Delta gateway, with two to four berths capable of handling container ships of up to 100,000 tonnes, bulk carriers of 160,000 tonnes and passenger ships of 225,000 GT.
Its annual cargo capacity is projected at 24.6-32.5 million tonnes.
Can Tho also plans to develop the 40,000-hectare Tran De Economic Zone as a multi-sector economic hub and a centre for international maritime trade.
The proposed railway would run about 80 kilometres from Can Tho station to Tran De Port, connecting with the planned HCM City-Can Tho-Ca Mau railway.
The ministry is preparing a pre-feasibility study for the 175.2-kilometre HCM City-Can Tho railway through HCM City, Tay Ninh, Dong Thap, Vinh Long and Can Tho, with investment approval expected to be sought in 2026.
Can Tho has proposed incorporating the Tran De link into the HCM City-Can Tho railway project and financing it through the central budget.
The city said the railway, combined with expressways, inland waterways and the seaport, would create a multimodal transport network connecting Mekong Delta production centres directly with Tran De.
The link is expected to shorten transport times and cut logistics costs, particularly for agricultural and seafood exports, while providing more direct access to international shipping routes.
It could also reduce the region's reliance on cargo transshipment through Cat Lai and Cai Mep-Thi Vai ports and help attract investment in industry, logistics and services around the Tran De Economic Zone.
