On October 31, 2023, the Government promulgated Resolution 178/NQ-CP ("Resolution 178") of the Action Plan to implement the Politburo's Conclusion No. 49 on the development orientation of Vietnam's railway transport to 2030 with a vision to 2045.
1. Development objectives of railway transport, a roadmap to 2045 to complete the North-South high-speed railway project
Resolution 178 sets out a series of objectives for the construction and development of Vietnam's railway transport in the short and long term, notably with the following contents:
- By 2025: Develop relevant master plans and approve investment policies for high-speed railway projects on the North-South axis.
- By 2030:
- Commencement of the North-South high-speed railway project of priority sections Hanoi - Vinh, Ho Chi Minh City - Nha Trang.
- Kstarted several railway lines connecting international gateway seaports (Hanoi - Hai Phong, Bien Hoa - Vung Tau), international border gates (Hanoi - Lao Cai, Hanoi - Lang Son, Vung Ang - Tan Ap - Mu Gie), international airports (Thu Thiem - Long Thanh), the eastern ring railway of Hanoi junction area (Ngoc Hoi - Lac Dao - Yen Vien - Bac Hong - Thach Lei), Ho Chi Minh City - Can Tho railway; invest in completing the Yen Vien - Pha Lai - Ha Long - Cai Lan railway.
- Construct and put into operation about 50% of the total length of urban railways planned in Hanoi City (including about 20 monorail lines) and Ho Chi Minh City.
- After 2030 By 2045:
- Completion and operation of the entire North-South high-speed railway.
- Completion of the railway line of Hanoi city junction area, Ho Chi Minh City junction area; railway lines connecting with transport hubs with large traffic (seaports, industrial parks, economic zones), Central Highlands provinces; coastal railway, Trans-Asian railway.
- Complete the urban railway network in Hanoi (connecting to the Capital Region) and Ho Chi Minh City (including monorail and tramway) by 2035; complete several urban railways in urban areas with a population of over 1 million people.
- The completion of the renovation, upgrading and electrification of existing railway lines meets COP26 requirements.
2. Policies to attract economic sectors to invest in and develop railway systems
To achieve the above goals, the Government proposes many ways and policies to mobilize resources from many economic sectors, specifically:
- Amending and supplementing the Law on Investment in the form of public-private partnerships and specialized laws on railways to create a favorable environment and attract many economic sectors to invest in railway development;
- Proposing the Government and the National Assembly to allow piloting the application of several specific regulations (percentage of state capital participating in investment projects under the PPP method, allowing the application of BT contracts, incentives, investment assurance of appropriate risk sharing) to attract investors, mobilize investment resources for each specific project.
- Cooperate with foreign donors to mobilize preferential loans, issue domestic and international bonds to invest in railway projects;
- Calling on all economic sectors to participate in railway business and transport support services; participate in investment and trading in means of transport, supporting works for transport activities (warehouses, yards, loading and unloading vehicles...);
- Prioritize the allocation of resources from the local budget to invest in the development of urban and regional railway infrastructure.
- Prioritize the allocation of appropriate land funds in areas around major railway stations, high-speed railway stations and railway stations in urban areas for the development of urban areas and functional areas (TOD model) and use revenues from urban development to create resources for investment in the development of national railway infrastructure, metropolitan rail.
- Promote socialization, equitization and divestment in transport business and railway transport support services.
The Ministry of Transport is responsible for monitoring and urging the implementation of the Action Program underResolution 178 and reporting and proposing to the Prime Minister necessary measures to ensure that the Program is implemented synchronously and effectively.
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