Hanoi granted special pilot mechanism for urban rail development

THE HANOI TIMES — The government has issued Resolution No. 318/NQ-CP to implement pilot policies initiated by the National Assembly in February for developing urban railways in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The plan aims to institutionalize special mechanisms to accelerate investment and development of the urban railway systems in the two major cities, ensuring progress, transparency and efficiency.

According to the government’s resolution, urban railway projects in both cities are large-scale and require advanced technical and technological standards.

They are being implemented under tight timelines and have been granted authorization by the National Assembly to apply exceptional policies.

To ensure the projects meet quality and schedule requirements, alongside the drafting and promulgation of legal documents, ministerial-level agencies and provincial People’s Committees must work in an open, transparent and efficient manner.

Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, as the key managing authorities, will coordinate with relevant sectors and localities to work on the issue in a transparent, effective and feasible way.

The two cities need to work closely with related agencies to reshape the areas around urban railway stations and depots.

They will adjust planning, architecture and infrastructure standards, both technical and social, to pave the way for land development projects built on the transit-oriented development (TOD) model.

They must approve TOD-based land-use projects at urban railway stations and depots and allocate local budget for public investment projects to conduct land clearance and resettlement according to the planning of station-adjacent areas.

This will help create land funds for auction in support of urban development in accordance with legal regulations.

The resolution took effect from the date of signing, October 9, 2025.