Hanoi–Quang Ninh high-speed rail project to start construction on April 12, aiming to cut travel time to 23 minutes

Groundbreaking for the Hanoi–Quang Ninh high-speed railway is scheduled for April 12, 2026, at 9:00 a.m. at the Ha Long Green Station site in the Tuần Châu and Việt Hưng wards. The ceremony is expected to mark a milestone for inter-regional transport infrastructure and strengthen high-speed connectivity between Hanoi and Vietnam’s northeast region.

Event details and preparation work

Quang Ninh province said the groundbreaking will take place at 9:00 a.m. on April 12 at the planned Ha Long Green Station site. Ahead of the event, local authorities, the investor, and relevant agencies are accelerating preparations to ensure conditions for organization, site clearance, and on-site infrastructure.

Project scope, route and investment

The project is about 120.2 km long, connecting Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh. The investor is VinSpeed, the High-Speed Rail Investment and Development Joint Stock Company. Total investment is over VND 147,000 billion, equivalent to more than USD 5.6 billion.

The line will start at Co Loa Station in the area of the National Exhibition Center in Dong Anh, Hanoi, and end at Ha Long Green Station. The planned route includes five stations: Co Loa, Gia Binh, Ninh Xa, Yen Tu, and Ha Long Green, with a depot located at the terminal.

Technical design and operating speed

The railway is designed as a double-track, standard gauge 1,435 mm, and fully electrified line. The maximum design speed is 350 km/h, while the segment through Hanoi is planned at about 120 km/h to support urban operations.

Route elevation and engineering approach

Quang Ninh noted that the route is designed with near-entire elevation. More than 120 km of the total length will be elevated, with only about 4 km on the ground. The remainder will be built on viaducts, including river crossings and crossings over existing transport infrastructure. The elevated design is intended to optimize land use, reduce intersections, and improve operational efficiency once the line is in service.

Ha Long Green Station concept

Quang Ninh also revealed the design concept for Ha Long Station. The station is planned within a 662-hectare forest park and is inspired by the continuous motion of ocean waves. The design is described as modern and minimalist, aiming to create a strong visual identity while reflecting the speed and technology of next-generation transport infrastructure.

Timeline and expected connectivity impact

The project aims to begin commercial operation in 2028. Once operational, it is expected to reduce travel time between Hanoi and Quang Ninh from the current 2 to 2.5 hours to about 23 minutes, significantly improving passenger connectivity and supporting tourism and trade between northern growth centers.

The new rail link is also expected to complement existing port, highway, and airport infrastructure, helping complete the multi-modal transport network for Quang Ninh and boosting tourism, logistics, and high-quality services in the region.