Vietnam is planning to build a railway route connecting eight northern cities, provinces and up into China.
The railway linking Hai Phong city, Hanoi and Lao Cai province will have the global standard track gauge of 1,435mm instead of century-old gauge of 1,000mm common in Vietnam.
Specifically, the planned line starts from the existing Lao Cai station, eastwards through Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Ha Noi, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Hai Phong and ends at Lach Huyen port, Hai Phong city, with total length of over 391 km (242 miles).
Running at speeds of 160kph and 90kph for passenger trains and freight trains respectively, it will connect to Hekou Yao County in China on a 6.29km path from Lao Cai.
In terms of freight and passengers, this is the most important railway line of Vietnam, affirmed Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong.
“The route is not only meaningful for the socio-economic development of the localities where the railway travels through but also connects international traffic and trade, especially with China,” Dong added.
At the same time, it will clear the goods of the hub area north of the northern delta in general and Hai Phong port in particular. Besides, it attracts Vietnamese exports to China or transitting China to Central Asia, Europe and vice versa.
Dong also noted the need to identify issues on how to connect the new railway with old railways, seaports, inland ports, cargo hubs, etc.
"In particular, three important issues include the connection of railway gauge with Chinese railways in Lao Cai, the hub area in Hanoi, and the seaport area in Hai Phong. Clearing the above issues will ensure the effectiveness of the route." said Deputy Miniter Dong.
Most of China’s railways were built with the standard track gauge and only a number of short-range railways near the Vietnamese border had the 1,000mm gauge tracks, briefed Phan Quoc Anh, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Railways.
China Railway Engineering Machinery Research and Design Institute will act as the consultant on the project.
The railway linking Hai Phong city, Hanoi and Lao Cai province will have the global standard track gauge of 1,435mm instead of century-old gauge of 1,000mm common in Vietnam.
Specifically, the planned line starts from the existing Lao Cai station, eastwards through Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Ha Noi, Hung Yen, Hai Duong, Hai Phong and ends at Lach Huyen port, Hai Phong city, with total length of over 391 km (242 miles).
Illustrative photo
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In terms of freight and passengers, this is the most important railway line of Vietnam, affirmed Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Ngoc Dong.
“The route is not only meaningful for the socio-economic development of the localities where the railway travels through but also connects international traffic and trade, especially with China,” Dong added.
At the same time, it will clear the goods of the hub area north of the northern delta in general and Hai Phong port in particular. Besides, it attracts Vietnamese exports to China or transitting China to Central Asia, Europe and vice versa.
Dong also noted the need to identify issues on how to connect the new railway with old railways, seaports, inland ports, cargo hubs, etc.
"In particular, three important issues include the connection of railway gauge with Chinese railways in Lao Cai, the hub area in Hanoi, and the seaport area in Hai Phong. Clearing the above issues will ensure the effectiveness of the route." said Deputy Miniter Dong.
Most of China’s railways were built with the standard track gauge and only a number of short-range railways near the Vietnamese border had the 1,000mm gauge tracks, briefed Phan Quoc Anh, Deputy General Director of Vietnam Railways.
China Railway Engineering Machinery Research and Design Institute will act as the consultant on the project.
