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A Vietnam Railways D19E diesel locomotive hauling a freight train on a northern Vietnamese line

Lào Cai – Hà Nội – Hải Phòng railway: National Assembly adjusts investment policy, budget up by over VND 86 trillion

  • Author: C.A.S Logistics
  • 3 min read

The Lào Cai – Hà Nội – Hải Phòng standard-gauge railway links the Vietnam–China border with the Hải Phòng seaport cluster. The National Assembly approved its investment policy in Resolution 187/2025/QH15 of 19 February 2025, with a preliminary total investment of about VND 203,231 billion. On 19 December 2025 the Ministry of Construction and six provinces and cities broke ground on Component Project 1 (infrastructure connecting the stations and station squares, over VND 3,200 billion) at five station sites: Lào Cai, Phú Thọ, Bắc Hồng, Lương Tài and Hải Dương Nam, according to Lào Cai Newspaper and Việt Nam News on 19 December 2025.

Key points

  • Adjustment proposal (6 Aug 2026): According to Tuổi Trẻ on 6 August 2026, the Government asked the National Assembly to raise the preliminary total investment to VND 289,339 billion, an increase of VND 86,108 billion. Reasons given include changes in scope, quantities, unit prices, exchange rates and policy, and new major projects in the corridor.
  • National Assembly approval (24 Aug 2026): According to Báo Đấu thầu and Lào Cai Newspaper on 24 August 2026, the adjustment resolution passed with 460 of 473 deputies present voting in favour. Most of the increase is in construction and equipment (up VND 51,210 billion) and compensation and resettlement (up VND 34,849 billion).
  • New alignment: The main line runs from the cross-border rail junction in Lào Cai to Nam Hải Phòng station, about 363 km; branch lines total about 63 km. The Nam Hải Phòng – Lạch Huyện section becomes a branch, and the Nam Hải Phòng – Nam Đồ Sơn branch will be built in step with the Nam Đồ Sơn port area.
  • Double track from the start: Bắc Hồng – Nam Hải Phòng and Yên Viên – Gia Lâm will be double track; other sections single track. The line carries both passengers and freight, with design speeds of 160 km/h (Lào Cai – Nam Hải Phòng) and 120 km/h through the Hà Nội hub.
  • Traction: Electric on the main line; port branches start with diesel locomotives and switch to clean energy later.
  • Schedule: Under the adjusted resolution, the project is to be substantially completed no later than 2030.

Impact on importers and exporters

If completed as planned, the line will add a high-volume mode between the Lào Cai border gate, northern industrial zones and Hải Phòng port. Dedicated port branches indicate that containers and bulk cargo are a core target. During construction (2026–2030), some roads and station areas may be affected by work sites.

What businesses should do

  • Follow official updates from the Ministry of Construction and the Railway Project Management Board on freight station locations and section-by-section progress.
  • When siting warehouses or plants in the Lào Cai – Hải Phòng corridor, include the planned stations and port branches in the assessment.
  • For cargo to China via Lào Cai, keep using current options and reassess once the new line has a confirmed operating schedule.

Sources

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