Accelerate progress on key railway projects.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting of the Government Standing Committee to review the situation and continue to urge and accelerate the progress of the railway project.

Regarding the North-South high-speed railway project, the Ministry of Construction has submitted a report on the selection of technology partners; focusing on directing the implementation of the project's terms of reference and the preparation of bidding documents to be completed by March 2026, and selecting a consultant to prepare the feasibility study report in the second quarter of 2026. All 15 localities and the Vietnam Electricity Group are actively reviewing and assessing the volume of land clearance, relocating power lines, and implementing the construction of resettlement areas.

With the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project being implemented simultaneously, component projects 1 (investment in infrastructure connecting stations and plazas), component 2 (investment in railway construction), and component projects for land clearance and relocation of power infrastructure are underway.

Regarding the Hanoi – Lang Son and Hai Phong – Mong Cai railway lines, the Ministry of Construction continues to focus on directing the completion of the initial report by April 2026; and completing the planning in 2026. The Ministry of Construction has also issued a document guiding the procedures for assigning the Quang Ninh Provincial People's Committee as the managing agency/investor for the Hai Phong - Ha Long - Mong Cai railway project.

Regarding urban railway lines, Hanoi is currently processing investment procedures for 6 lines (of which 4 are expected to start construction in 2026) and is implementing 3 lines; Ho Chi Minh City is prioritizing the preparation for investment in 6 lines in the 2026-2030 period.

The Ministry of Construction has issued a document seeking opinions from ministries, sectors, and localities on the system of technical standards and regulations applicable to urban railways; at the same time, it is developing a National Technical Regulation for urban railways (metro type), expected to be promulgated in the third quarter of 2026.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired a meeting of the Government Standing Committee to review the situation and continue to urge and accelerate the progress of the railway project.

In his concluding remarks, the Prime Minister assessed that following the 7th meeting of the Steering Committee for National Key Railway Projects, the tasks were implemented better, more actively, and more effectively; Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City have been very proactive in implementing urban railway projects. Ministries, sectors, and localities need to be more proactive, flexible, and effective in implementing work and resolving obstacles, based on closely following the directives of the Politburo, the National Assembly, and the Government.

Directing the general tasks and duties in the coming period, the Prime Minister requested that ministries, sectors, and localities finalize standards, regulations, criteria, and procedures based on international standards and regulations but adapted to Vietnam's specific characteristics. This will provide a basis for synchronized and unified implementation nationwide, project execution, inspection, supervision, and project connectivity.

Projects need to be implemented promptly and on schedule, but in accordance with regulations, procedures, standards, and norms, while improving quality; during implementation, inspection, supervision, and auditing must be carried out according to regulations, and corruption, negative practices, and vested interests must be resolutely combated. Investment procedures must be completed in accordance with the law, and capital allocation must meet the required progress, with strict and effective control.

Local authorities should focus on directing land clearance and resettlement more actively, ensuring that it is done quickly and promptly, that people's lives in their new homes are better than in their old homes, brighter, greener, cleaner and more beautiful, with complete social infrastructure, and that people's jobs and livelihoods are taken care of.

The Ministry of Construction and the Vietnam Railways Corporation need to be very specific in their human resource training plans to meet development requirements. Along with that, it is necessary to diversify funding sources (state, private, public-private partnerships, loans, bond issuance, etc.) and optimize capital utilization, avoiding waste. They should also creatively adopt and apply the most advanced construction processes and technologies to accelerate project progress and improve project quality.

Regarding the tasks related to the projects, specifically the North-South high-speed railway project, the Prime Minister requested the Ministry of Construction to submit a comprehensive report, expressing its stance on technology selection and the development of standards. Based on this, the Ministry should finalize the feasibility report and select investors and contractors (consultants, construction, control systems, etc.).

For the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project, localities are rapidly implementing land clearance; the feasibility report must be completed by March; and the construction of connecting infrastructure must begin.

For the Hanoi - Lang Son route, local authorities are actively supporting and advising on planning. For the Hai Phong - Ha Long - Mong Cai route, procedures have been completed to assign the local authorities as the project's investor/managing agency; if any difficulties arise, the Ministry of Construction and the Ministry of Finance will provide support.

Regarding urban railway lines in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, obstacles have been removed; ministries, localities are actively resolving remaining issues, and the Ministry of Finance is supporting the handling of issues related to loan capital. The Prime Minister noted that Ho Chi Minh City should give special priority to projects connecting Long Thanh and Tan Son Nhat airports with the city center. For the Ben Thanh - Can Gio and Hanoi - Quang Ninh lines, which are privately invested, relevant agencies must inspect, supervise, and propose mechanisms and policies for competent authorities.

The Ministry of Finance is urgently reviewing and submitting the restructuring plan for Vietnam Railways Corporation for approval before March 20th. The Ministry of Industry and Trade is completing procedures to submit the railway industry development plan for approval in March 2026, while continuing to propose mechanisms and policies to competent authorities.

Source: https://baodautu.vn/thuc-tien-do-cac-du-an-duong-sat-trong-diem-d547247.html