Deputy Prime Minister directs implementation of several railway projects

The Government Office has issued documents No. 3357, 3358 and 3359/VPCP-CN dated April 17, 2026, conveying opinions of Deputy Prime Minister and Standing Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc to assign ministries and localities to implement National Assembly resolutions on investing in several railway projects.

The documents relate to three National Assembly resolutions: Resolution No. 172/2024/QH15 dated November 30, 2024 on the policy to invest in the North-South high-speed railway project; Resolution No. 187/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025 on the policy to invest in the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway project; and Resolution No. 188/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025 on piloting mechanisms and policies to develop the urban rail network in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Accelerating investment preparation for the North-South high-speed railway

For the North-South high-speed railway project, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc assigned the Ministry of Construction to lead and coordinate with relevant ministries, sectors and localities to review and amend legal documents to create a favorable legal framework for developing the railway transport system.

The Deputy Prime Minister also directed the relevant agencies to increase responsibility and determination to meet the schedule while ensuring quality and efficiency in line with requirements of the Party Central Committee and National Assembly resolutions, with the aim of forming a nationwide passenger railway network that is synchronized, convenient, modern, fast and safe.

Key tasks and implementation requirements

• Accelerate the investment preparation phase and ensure the quality and timeliness of the feasibility study report, while strictly following technical procedures and legal steps to maintain absolute quality and investment effectiveness.
• Study and evaluate technology options and investment models, select a strategic partner for project implementation, and promptly report to competent authorities for consideration and decision.
• Develop a comprehensive monitoring solution focused on key stages, including investment preparation, compensation, support, resettlement, training of high-quality human resources, and technology transfer.
• Localities within the project scope must coordinate closely with the Ministry of Construction and related ministries to prepare land funds and carry out compensation, support and resettlement to ensure stable livelihoods for affected people.

Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway: legal framework and technological autonomy

For the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong project, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc required the Ministry of Construction to continue reviewing and amending laws to create a favorable legal framework for developing railway transport, ensuring synchronization, modernization and effective connectivity of domestic and international rail networks. The plan must also be linked with defense, security and environmental protection, and address climate change.

The Ministry of Construction was tasked with reporting the results of the legal review to the Prime Minister by June 30, 2026.

Feasibility study and technology evaluation

• Accelerate the progress of preparing, appraising and approving the feasibility study report in accordance with regulations, ensuring quality and compliance with technical standards.
• Actively study and evaluate options within the technology framework identified by the National Assembly, focusing on long-term independence and autonomy.
• Assess the impact of applying foreign standards and technology on operating and maintenance costs over the project life cycle to ensure efficiency, feasibility, security and defense, and the ability to balance and repay debt while ensuring funding.
• Localities within the project scope should accelerate compensation, support and resettlement to ensure stable livelihoods and production for affected people at their new locations.

Piloting urban rail development mechanisms in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City

Regarding the pilot mechanisms and policies to develop the urban rail network in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc requested the Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Finance, Ministry of Justice, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Ministry of Industry and Trade, Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committees to strengthen coordination and focus on implementing pilot tasks.

The agencies are required to assess the suitability, feasibility and effectiveness of each pilot mechanism in a timely manner, clarify advantages and implementation difficulties, and define directions, tasks and solutions for the next period. They must also report and clarify matters during the two-year review process of Resolution No. 188/2025/QH15.

TOD mechanisms and technical standards

• The Ministry of Construction and the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committees are to review and finalize TOD (transit-oriented development) development mechanisms, especially land finance mechanisms, with clear responsibilities, resources, regulatory framework and use of land value increases.
• The Ministry of Construction, Ministry of Science and Technology, and the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committees must complete technical standards suitable for Vietnam while aligned with international practice by Q2 2026.
• The Ministry of Construction and Ministry of Finance, together with relevant ministries, are to direct, supervise and urge implementation progress of urban rail lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, ensuring network-wide connectivity and improving the efficiency of operating lines.
• Prioritize TOD projects in high-potential areas linked to high-density urban development, efficient use of land and infrastructure.

TOD is an urban development model centered around public transport hubs such as metro stations, bus rapid transit stops, and multimodal connection points. With service radii of 400–800 meters from public transport hubs, TOD creates high-density areas integrating housing, offices, commerce and public services to encourage public transport use, reduce private vehicles, and address congestion and environmental pollution.

Ai Minh (According to Government information)