Witnesses of history and hopes for the future

Centennial Railway

The natural disaster and floods caused by the impact of storm No. 3 in 2024 caused serious damage to road traffic infrastructure. Although the routes have been temporarily opened, domestic and international traffic routes have not yet been able to return to normal operation, reducing the capacity to transport goods to and from Lao Cai. In that situation, railways have become an important alternative means to help reduce pressure on roads. Mr. Ngo Vu Quang - Head of Lao Cai Station said: "Since the temporary suspension of trains due to the impact of the COVID-19 epidemic, the railway industry has had to temporarily suspend train operations for such a long time. However, after going through the incident, we are more confident that the railway industry is always strong enough to overcome all difficulties and affirm its role." According to Mr. Quang, with the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway route in particular, the role and mission of the railway industry are more clearly affirmed from the historical fulcrum of hundreds of years.

Built in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the railway connecting Lao Cai, the border gateway with China to the capital Hanoi and continuing to Hai Phong port opened a strategic trade corridor. In that context, the route not only served the needs of resource exploitation and cargo transportation but also connected the economic and political centers of the Northern region with important seaports, contributing to promoting the circulation of goods, human resources exchange and cultural exchange.

During the resistance wars against France and the US, the railway was repeatedly the target of fierce attacks, but it was also the lifeline for supplying and transporting troops and materials for the national liberation struggle. After peace was restored, the railway continued to shoulder the important task of restoring the economy, rebuilding infrastructure and bringing people's lives back to normal.

Along the railway line, stations, markets and ancillary industries were formed. From traders transporting agricultural products, passenger restaurants to logistics services, the railway line created jobs, connected markets for local products and contributed to shaping the cultural and social life of many generations. The route also preserved countless stories of everyday life, night trains filled with memories and memories of sacrifices during wartime - all of which created an unforgettable spiritual value.

The railway creates jobs, connects markets for local products and contributes to shaping the cultural and social life of many generations.

After decades of operation, the traditional railway has shown its limitations due to the deterioration of infrastructure in many sections, outdated locomotives and equipment, and transport capacity that has not met new market demands. Strong competition from highly flexible road transport has caused railways to gradually lose market share. In response to development requirements, modernizing transport infrastructure is essential to improve competitiveness, reduce logistics costs, and contribute to sustainable development.

After decades of operation, traditional railways have shown their limitations.

Standard gauge railway project - an opportunity for Lao Cai to break through

One of the highlights of railway infrastructure development is the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway construction investment project, which was approved in principle in Resolution No. 187/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025. The project has a total main line length of 390.9 km, starting at the cross-border rail connection point (Lao Cai province), ending at Lach Huyen Station (Hai Phong city); the length of branch lines is about 27.9 km; the total investment capital is 203,231 billion VND, equivalent to 8.37 billion USD, striving to be completed by 2030 at the latest.

The project has strategic significance in forming a railway transport network in the North, running along the East-West corridor, connecting the Northwest region with the delta region and Hai Phong seaport - one of the largest maritime centers in Vietnam. At the same time, connecting railway transport with China, directly the Southwest region of China - an area with more than 500 million people and is developing very strongly. From here, it will continue to connect with railways of Asia - Europe, creating strong development momentum, creating new development space, accelerating the process of urban development, industry, tourism, services ... in localities along the corridor.

For Lao Cai province, the project is a historic opportunity for the province to make a breakthrough, shaping its future development in the coming decades, contributing to soon making Lao Cai a center for economic trade connection between Vietnam and ASEAN countries with the Southwest region of China. The project will create great opportunities for businesses inside and outside the province to participate in the construction process, supply materials, logistics services, and at the same time create thousands of jobs and livelihoods to help people increase their income and improve their lives.

A section of the project route passing through Bao Thang district (old) was adjusted.

Therefore, the project has received close and regular attention and direction from the leaders of the Party, State, Government and central ministries and branches. Accordingly, the National Assembly has issued specific mechanisms and policies for implementation, demonstrating strategic priority for the development of railway infrastructure. Investment preparation work has been carried out quickly, synchronously, drastically and requires very high progress, the project will start construction on December 19, 2025.

Along with the great opportunity is the huge amount of work, especially site clearance. The Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project, the section through Lao Cai is 143.2 km long, needs to reclaim more than 1,550 hectares of land, affecting 2,581 households and needs to build 45 resettlement areas. The total cost of site clearance is estimated at nearly VND 8,200 billion. This is an unprecedented task in terms of scale and nature, requiring the synchronous, comprehensive and drastic participation of the entire political system. Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee has established a Site Clearance Steering Committee headed by the Provincial Party Secretary; issued a detailed plan and directed decisively with the goal of soon handing over the site to the investor.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh inspected the route of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project at the planned location of the new Lao Cai station (December 2024).

The entire provincial political system has implemented the site clearance work for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong Railway Construction Investment Project (section passing through Lao Cai province) in accordance with the direction of the Prime Minister, organizing and implementing the work in parallel, at the same time, resolutely not letting the later work wait for the earlier work, "not enough work during the day, taking advantage of working at night", working "through holidays, Tet, and holidays". Party committees at all levels have promoted the spirit of responsibility, clearly identified the task of implementing the site clearance work of the project as an important political task in the direction and operation; united in all efforts, "only discuss, not discuss backward", with the highest determination, proactive, creative, daring to think, daring to do for the interests of the nation, people and Lao Cai province.