Recently, the Economic Committee of the National Assembly conducted a field survey of the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway construction investment project at the Lach Huyen Port Station site.
According to the plan, the railway will span 388.3 km with 36 stations. The Hai Phong section includes 46.1 km of mainline and two branch lines totaling 20.5 km. The mainline is designed for speeds of 160 km/h, and the branch lines for 80 km/h. The Hai Phong section features six stations: Nam Hai Phong Station (a marshalling and mixed-use station); Tan Vien and Nam Dinh Vu (technical stations); and Nam Dinh Vu, Lach Huyen Port, Nam Do Son, and Dinh Vu (mixed-use port-adjacent stations).
The railway will enhance East–West rail transport capacity, connect national rail with seaports, industrial zones, and tourist areas, serving Vietnam’s industrialization and modernization goals.
Hai Phong leaders proposed adjusting the construction schedule for the segment from Nam Hai Phong to Nam Do Son (over 12 km) to be prioritized in Phase 1 and completed before 2030, supporting the effective operation of Nam Do Son Port and increasing the attractiveness of the Southern Coastal Economic Zone.
They also proposed integrating the railway with the Hanoi–Hai Phong Expressway and the Tan Vu–Lach Huyen Highway in line with the city’s general master plan to 2040 and vision to 2050, minimizing fragmented land use and avoiding overlaps with other planned infrastructure. Additionally, a new railway bridge (Tan Vu–Lach Huyen 2) should be integrated with the existing road bridge to reduce costs.
Hai Phong suggested extending Lach Huyen Port Station to serve berths 5 and 6 at the Hai Phong International Gateway Port, ensuring consistency and efficient operation. The city committed to completing site clearance on schedule and is ready to use its local budget for the Nam Hai Phong–Nam Do Son section if approved.
The Economic Committee acknowledged Hai Phong’s proposals and pledged to compile and report them to the National Assembly Standing Committee for consideration.
Hai Phong and the Ministry of Transport have completed a pre-feasibility study for the project. On December 4, 2024, the Prime Minister approved Decision No. 1511/QD-TTg establishing the Southern Coastal Economic Zone. From now until 2025, the master plan and zoning plans will be prepared, and infrastructure investments will commence.
The Hai Phong Economic Zone Authority is preparing the general planning for the new zone and will incorporate the railway route into the plan.
Dr. Nguyễn Minh Đức, Vice Chairman of the Hai Phong Logistics Association, emphasized Hai Phong’s key role in northern seaport logistics. Resolution 45-NQ/TW of the Politburo affirms that Hai Phong will be an industrial and modernized hub by 2025 and a modern international logistics center by 2030 via sea, air, expressways, and high-speed rail. Thus, the Association hopes the project will soon be launched, promoting logistics development and Vietnam–China connectivity.