These days, at the site of the groundbreaking ceremony for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line in the Dong Pho Moi Industrial Zone, Lao Cai Ward, units are actively preparing and finalizing the last details for the ceremony. Some local residents are taking the opportunity to visit, making the atmosphere of the groundbreaking ceremony more lively and exciting each day.
After learning some information about the standard-gauge railway line from Lao Cai to Hanoi and Hai Phong, Mr. Vu Duc Trung, 80 years old, residing in Group 31, Lao Cai Ward, smiled brightly: "With speeds up to 160 km/h, it won't take long to get from here to Hanoi! The old railway line used to take 8 to 10 hours, and it was exhausting."
Formerly an official working in Yen Binh district, Yen Bai province, Mr. Trung has lived with his children in Lao Cai ward for nearly 20 years after retirement, and therefore frequently travels on the old railway line. His biggest concern is the long train journeys, so when he learned that the new railway line was about to begin construction, he was very excited and hoped the project would proceed on schedule. Furthermore, the new railway line will facilitate the exchange of goods between the lowlands and the highlands.
Mr. Trung's expectations are also the goals that the Government and central ministries and departments, the Provincial Party Committee, and the People's Committee of Lao Cai province are aiming for when commencing the construction of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project.
According to the design, the railway line has a total main length of over 390 km, passing through 6 provinces and cities: Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, and Hai Phong; the starting point is at the rail junction across the border in the former Lao Cai city and the end point is at Lach Huyen station, Hai Phong city. The total length of the entire line is nearly 400 km, of which the main line is approximately 390 km and the branch lines are nearly 28 km. To ensure the straightest and shortest route, the rail section running on flat ground accounts for only about 64% of the total length, with the remaining 36% being bridges and tunnels.
The railway line is designed with a modern gauge of 1,435 mm, a maximum speed of 160 km/h for the main line from the new Lao Cai station to the Nam Hai Phong station; 120 km/h for the section passing through the Hanoi city hub; and 80 km/h for the remaining sections. The total investment for the project is over 203 trillion VND, equivalent to 8.3 billion USD, under the public investment model.
In Lao Cai, the railway line is over 143 km long; its starting point is at the rail junction with China, and its end point is in Au Lau ward; it has 5 stations and 4 technical operation stations.
The project is of particular importance in Vietnam's socio-economic development strategy and national transport network planning, as well as its international connectivity. This route has the second highest passenger and freight transport demand in the country and is a crucial part of the Belt and Road Initiative within the framework of free trade cooperation between China and ASEAN.
When the new railway line is completed, along with the Noi Bai - Lao Cai expressway currently being upgraded, it will form a powerful duo that will help Lao Cai connect more strongly with the rest of the country and internationally. Especially with its significant advantages in tourism and border crossings, the railway line will truly give Lao Cai a boost for strong future growth.
In freight transport, cross-border import and export on the old railway line currently in operation, which was built hundreds of years ago, no longer meets the requirements of the new era.
Mr. Ngo Vu Quang, Station Manager and Director of the Lao Cai Railway Station's Communication Department, acknowledged that the capacity and infrastructure of the old railway line at certain times could not meet the volume and speed requirements, leading to extended passenger service times and failing to meet the expectations of current socio-economic development needs.
In particular, the international freight transport connection between Vietnam and China is facing a discrepancy between the two rail gauges, creating additional difficulties for businesses as goods arriving at Lao Cai Station must be transferred to other wagons or vehicles, leading to increased costs.
The construction of the new Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway line, with a standard gauge of 1,435 mm, compatible with the track gauge on the Chinese side, facilitates international freight transport. This is a welcome development for the railway industry, contributing to the economic development of Lao Cai province, creating conditions for the exchange of goods between businesses on both sides, increasing new cargo flows, and contributing to the development of local tourism.
As one of the businesses operating in the Dong Pho Moi Industrial Park that must relocate to make way for the construction of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line, Mr. Do Tien Si - Director of Traphaco Sa Pa Company - agrees with this policy. According to him, the national railway line, with its international reach, will certainly strongly promote regional connectivity, boost economic trade, and spread the values of production and commercial development. This is truly valuable for businesses, facilitating trade and expanding markets.
"Relocating production facilities poses some immediate challenges for businesses, but looking further ahead at a macro level, businesses will benefit when a modern railway line promotes regional connectivity. We always keep that in mind and strongly support the relocation plan of Lao Cai province," Mr. Si said.
Lao Cai is hoping that the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line will truly open up new impetus for local development, contributing to maximizing the advantages of tourism and border trade development - important pillars of the local economy.
According to tourism statistics, in 2025, the province is expected to welcome approximately 10 million visitors, including over 1.5 million international tourists (a 2.5% increase compared to the plan). Lao Cai, with its majestic natural landscapes, numerous cool temperate climate zones, and rich and unique culture, is becoming an attractive destination for tourists.
The tourism sector has great potential; therefore, in a recent working session with the Lao Cai Provincial Tourism Association, Comrade Trinh Viet Hung - Alternate Member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam, Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee, and Chairman of the Provincial People's Council - clearly analyzed the impact of the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line on the development of the tourism industry. This is a major advantage for creating new tours and routes, attracting tourists.
When the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line becomes operational, it will open a new chapter in transportation connectivity between Lao Cai and the provinces along the route. The province's outstanding advantages in tourism, import-export, industry, and trade will be maximized, creating further impetus for development. This railway line will not only boost socio-economic development but also contribute to realizing the major strategies of the Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee, aiming to become one of the country's growth poles.
Source: https://baolaocai.vn/dong-luc-moi-giup-lao-cai-phat-trien-post889246.html
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