Việtnam Launches First Inter-Regional High-Speed Railway Connecting Hànội and Quảng Ninh
Quảng Ninh, The Gulf Observer: Construction of Việtnam’s first inter-regional high-speed railway, linking Hànội with Quảng Ninh, officially commenced on Sunday in a landmark development for the country’s transport infrastructure and economic future.
Prime Minister Lê Minh Hưng attended the groundbreaking ceremony, underscoring the national significance of the project, which is expected to dramatically reduce travel time between the two localities to approximately 23 minutes—five to seven times faster than current journeys.
The railway is being developed by VinSpeed, a subsidiary of Vingroup, with a total investment exceeding VNĐ147 trillion (around US$5.6 billion), excluding site clearance costs. Scheduled for completion by the end of 2028, the 120.2-kilometre line will pass through Hànội, Bắc Ninh, Hải Phòng, and Quảng Ninh.
Designed as a fully electrified, double-track standard-gauge railway (1,435mm), the line will support maximum speeds of up to 350 km/h, with urban sections in Hà Nội capped at 120 km/h. The route will begin at Cổ Loa Station in Hà Nội and terminate at Hạ Long Station in Quảng Ninh, with intermediate stops at Gia Bình, Ninh Xá, and Yên Tử, alongside a depot at the Hạ Long terminus.
The project will incorporate next-generation high-speed trains and advanced signalling and communications systems supplied by Siemens Mobility. The company has also committed to gradually transferring technology to VinSpeed, fostering local expertise and supporting the development of a domestic high-speed rail ecosystem.
Speaking at the ceremony, Michael Peter reaffirmed Siemens Mobility’s commitment to delivering safe and efficient, globally proven rail solutions, while also pledging long-term cooperation through joint assembly, maintenance, and deep technology transfer initiatives.
Local authorities have highlighted the project’s transformative potential. Bùi Văn Khắng, Deputy Secretary of the Quảng Ninh Party Committee and Chairman of the provincial People’s Committee, described it as a “mega-project” reflecting both strong investor capacity and the growing role of the private sector in national infrastructure development.
He assured that Quảng Ninh authorities would work closely with central ministries and investors to ensure timely site clearance, resettlement, and smooth project execution, maintaining high quality standards throughout implementation.
The railway is expected to significantly boost the northern key economic region, enhance connectivity, and contribute to Việt Nam’s broader ambition of strengthening national competitiveness.
Nguyễn Việt Quang, Vice Chairman and CEO of Vingroup, stated that the project reflects the group’s commitment to building modern, internationally standardised transport infrastructure, thereby supporting socio-economic development and improving living standards.
He also noted that this marks VinSpeed’s second high-speed rail initiative, following the Bến Thành–Cần Giờ railway project in Ho Chi Minh City, which is also targeted for completion by late 2028. The simultaneous rollout of major rail projects in both northern and southern regions highlights the company’s execution capabilities and sets the foundation for a multi-billion-dollar rail and supporting industry in Việt Nam.
The groundbreaking ceremony concluded with participation from senior government officials, former Party and State leaders, and representatives from various ministries and localities, all expressing confidence that the project will be completed on schedule and serve as a catalyst for a new era of regional and national development.
