Vietnam PM Calls for Flexible Investment Models for North–South High-Speed Railway

Hanoi, The Gulf Observer: Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính on January 31 instructed relevant agencies to consider all three investment models—State-funded, private, and public-private partnership (PPP)—for the North–South high-speed railway, while chairing the sixth meeting of the steering committee for national key railway projects.

The meeting reviewed progress on a range of major railway initiatives, including Component Projects 1 and 2 of the Lào Cai–Hà Nội–Hải Phòng standard-gauge railway, negotiations on a cross-border rail connection agreement with China, surveys and feasibility studies for the North–South high-speed railway, and urban railway projects in Hà Nội and Ho Chi Minh City. Other lines discussed included Bến Thành–Cần Giờ, Hà Nội–Bắc Ninh, Yên Tử–Hạ Long, and Lạng Sơn–Hà Nội.

Participants also examined plans for developing a railway industrial complex, improving institutional and policy frameworks, workforce training, technical standards, technology selection, and investment approaches involving the State, enterprises, and PPPs.

Since the fifth meeting on January 6, the Prime Minister, who heads the steering committee, along with deputy prime ministers, has assigned 36 tasks to ministries and local authorities to remove bottlenecks and accelerate investment preparation. Most of these tasks are progressing on schedule, with only one delayed due to procedures involving foreign partners. Several key decrees guiding railway development have been issued, and Ho Chi Minh City broke ground on Metro Line No. 2 (Bến Thành–Tham Lương) on January 15.

Concluding the meeting, PM Chính urged ministries, sectors, localities, and steering committee members to act proactively within their authority, uphold self-reliance, and strictly implement the “six clarities”: clear responsibilities, tasks, timelines, accountability, outputs, and authority. He stressed decisive action, focusing on implementation rather than hesitation.

On land clearance, the Prime Minister directed local authorities to intensify efforts, ensure lawful and fair compensation, improve living conditions for resettled residents, and prevent corruption. He also instructed closer coordination with the Ministry of Finance to secure sufficient funding.

For the Lào Cai–Hà Nội–Hải Phòng railway, PM Chính called for faster construction of Component Project 1, prompt completion of feasibility studies, timely selection of design consultants, acceleration of loan negotiations if required, and progress in negotiations on the cross-border railway agreement with China. Localities were encouraged to take the lead in advancing the Hà Nội–Lạng Sơn and Hải Phòng–Móng Cái lines.

Regarding the North–South high-speed railway, the Prime Minister emphasized its urgency in supporting the country’s goal of achieving double-digit economic growth. He called for rapid completion of pre-feasibility and feasibility studies, parallel land clearance, and careful consideration of all three investment models—State, private, and PPP—while ensuring balanced interests among stakeholders.

He also highlighted the importance of urban rail development, called for the establishment of national technical standards, and underscored the need for the “five transformations”: digitalisation, green growth, efficiency optimisation, smart governance, and harmonised interests.

PM Chính stressed that implementation of the projects must safeguard the interests of the State, the people, and businesses, while preventing corruption, negative practices, and any loss or waste of public assets, effort, or funds.