Vietnam sets late 2026 start for north-south high speed rail. Illustrative photo by Shutterstock
The ministry has instructed relevant agencies to complete reports on special mechanisms, investment models and investor selection criteria to ensure the project can start construction on schedule.
Speaking at a recent meeting, Minister of Construction Tran Hong Minh said site clearance would be the decisive factor in meeting the timeline. He ordered the full handover of the route centreline, boundary markers and land clearance scope to local authorities to secure a late 2026 start.
Earlier, on December 25, Vingroup asked to withdraw its investment registration for the north south high speed railway, which it had submitted to the government in May. The group said the decision followed careful consideration and was intended to allow it to focus resources on key strategic infrastructure projects it has been tasked with, including the Olympic sports urban area in Hanoi, covering more than 9,000 hectares.
Vingroup said it needed to concentrate resources to meet committed timelines and quality standards for those projects.
The high speed railway has also attracted interest and investment proposals from other well capitalised and experienced companies, including Thaco Truong Hai, Vietnam Railways Joint Stock Company and Vietnam Investment and Development Group.
The Ministry of Construction said Vingroup’s withdrawal would not affect the overall implementation of the north south high speed railway project.
