The National Assembly delegation on a field survey at Chan May port related to the metro line and logistics area.

Opportunity to "breakthrough"

While the world has more than 60,000km of high-speed railway, Vietnam is still at the starting line. The delay cannot continue. The big problems of GDP, capital, public debt, technology, all have been solved. What is lacking, as Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh emphasized on the morning of July 9 at the national online meeting, is the determination to act.

“A single delay in the railway means a loss of opportunity to connect and develop the entire region,” the message was raised in the context of the need for synchronous infrastructure investment being the driving force for growth. Especially for provinces and cities with the North-South high-speed railway passing through, the call for action is clear.

According to the Politburo , investment in high-speed railway lines not only helps increase GDP by 0.97 percentage points each year, but also creates a strong spillover effect, which is attracting investment, creating jobs, and promoting urbanization according to the public transport-oriented development (TOD) model.

The National Assembly has also approved the investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway project (railway project). And Hue, where the route passes through with a length of more than 95km, is in full swing.

Almost immediately after the online conference with the Government, Deputy Secretary of the City Party Committee and Chairman of the Hue City People's Committee, Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong convened an urgent meeting with relevant departments and branches. The important task set was to immediately start site clearance (GPMB), build resettlement areas (TDC)... to serve the railway project.

“We must be quick but methodical and thorough. We must do it quickly but in accordance with the law, ensuring long-term effectiveness,” emphasized the Chairman of the City People’s Committee, Mr. Nguyen Van Phuong.

The roadmap is finalized, on August 19, 2025, construction of the first 5 resettlement areas will begin. By the end of 2026, the entire site must be handed over.

Advance capital, open resettlement land fund

The railway project passes through 12 communes and wards with a total length of 95.1km, affecting more than 825 hectares of land and more than 8,100 households in Hue. Of these, nearly 900 households must be relocated, and 6,850 graves need to be moved. This huge number poses a problem not only in terms of funding, but also in terms of consensus among the people.

At the 10th Session of the 8th City People's Council, the City People's Committee proposed to advance 60 billion VND from the local budget to implement resettlement projects in 2025, and this proposal was approved by the City People's Council.

The report of the City People's Committee shows that the remaining budget advance limit according to regulations is about 84.1 billion VND, while the advance demand is 60 billion VND, completely meeting legal requirements and the ability to balance the budget.

“After examination, the Economic - Budget Committee found that this plan is necessary and urgent to ensure the progress of land acquisition and clearance for the railway project,” said Mr. Hoang Phu, Deputy Head of the Economic - Budget Committee of the Hue City People's Council.

According to Ms. Vo Thi Que Huong, Deputy Director of the Department of Finance, the city plans to invest in 22 resettlement areas with a total area of 66 hectares, along with 6 cemeteries (6 hectares) to meet the needs of resettlement and grave relocation. Land inventory and cadastral mapping are being urgently implemented.

The railway project is not just a transport route. For Hue, this is a new development axis, stretching from Phong Dien Industrial Park, across the Huong River, Cau Hai Lagoon, towards Chan May - Lang Co, connecting with Da Nang.

The route will cross National Highway 49B, National Highway 1A, and the current railway, opening up space for urban, industrial, service and logistics development for Hue city and its surrounding areas. In its long-term strategy, Hue identifies this as a driving force for the formation of satellite cities and green industrial zones associated with Chan May deep-water port, Phu Bai airport, and National Highway 1A.

With great determination, Hue has established a city-level Steering Committee headed by the City Party Secretary. This committee is responsible for the overall implementation of site clearance work, coordinating with relevant localities, departments and branches to ensure progress.

According to the plan, Hue will implement 4 investment projects to build resettlement areas and cemeteries, with a total estimated investment of up to 1,419 billion VND. Of which, the state budget, medium-term public investment sources, and local capital will be flexibly mobilized.

“This is a project that has a strong impact on the country's economic development, localities must be proactive, especially in site clearance work,” Mr. Le Truong Luu, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the City Party Committee, Chairman of the People's Council, Head of the National Assembly Delegation of Hue City emphasized at the 10th Session of the 8th City People's Council.

Article and photos: Le Tho

Source: https://huengaynay.vn/kinh-te/du-an-duong-sat-toc-do-cao-tren-truc-bac-nam-hue-vao-cuoc-bang-quyet-tam-hanh-dong-156040.html