Lào Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway development

The Lào Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway project, a major infrastructure undertaking in Vietnam, has moved into implementation and planning adjustment phases.

In early August, local officials in Hải Phòng began land acquisition processes, targeting over 923,000 m² of agricultural and non-agricultural land affecting more than 1,100 households. The initial project was estimated at approximately 203 trillion VND.

Subsequently, the Vietnamese government proposed a significant budget increase to the National Assembly, raising the estimated total cost to over 289 trillion VND. These adjustments include the addition of an 8.4 km section between Yen Vien and Gia Lam and the upgrade of the Hanoi-Hai Phong section to a double-track line. These changes are intended to meet increased freight and passenger demand, integrate with Hanoi's urban rail networks, and align with international transport requirements following a 2026 joint statement between Vietnam and China.

As of mid-August 2026, progress continues in the eastern part of Hải Phòng, where authorities have cleared over 419,000 square meters of land, representing approximately 15% of the 2.72 million square meters required for the project. The section passing through Hải Phòng spans nearly 90 km, including two branch lines totaling approximately 21 km. The project is expected to impact roughly 5,650 households and 48 organizations. To support relocation, the Hải Phòng People's Committee has assigned 14 projects to create 22 resettlement areas.

Furthermore, the Ministry of Construction has proposed constructing the line as a double-track railway, a modification estimated to save nearly 13 trillion VND while significantly improving transport efficiency.