Vietnam proposes budget increase for Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway

The Vietnamese government has submitted a proposal to the National Assembly to adjust the investment policy for the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway project. Following the original approval in 2025, the total investment is proposed to increase by more than 86,108 billion VND, bringing the total project cost to over 289,339 billion VND.

Key adjustments include adding an 8.4 km section between Yen Vien and Gia Lam and upgrading the Hanoi - Hai Phong section to a 1,435 mm standard double-track line. These changes aim to align the project with updated national and provincial planning, as well as new international transport requirements stemming from the April 2026 Vietnam-China Joint Statement.

Project management officials noted that the adjustments are driven by increased forecasted demand for both passengers and freight, as well as the need to integrate with urban railway networks in Hanoi. Building the double-track section from the outset is expected to save 12,500 billion VND by avoiding the difficulties of expanding single-track lines within densely populated urban areas in the future.