Prime Minister: Choose the most optimal investment method for the North-South high-speed railway

At the meeting on December 23, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh said that over the past year the Government has built and perfected institutions and policies to implement the North-South high-speed railway project, especially after the National Assembly’s Resolution was issued. He said this is a project that the Party and State are interested in and people expect and expect.

In the coming time, the Prime Minister requests the Ministries of Science and Technology and Construction to review regulations and standards to select technology for projects. He noted that the selected plan must ensure technical, economic, national security and defense factors, and the ability to transfer technology and operate.

“It is necessary to introduce standards and regulations to choose the most appropriate and optimal investment method for the country, ensuring publicity, feasibility, and harmonizing interests between subjects,” he said.

The Ministry of Construction is assigned to work with other ministries and branches to complete an impact assessment and propose a mechanism for each investment method to submit to the Government. This agency must soon complete the selection of survey consultants and guide localities in site clearance. These tasks must be completed in January 2026.

The North-South high-speed railway project has a total preliminary capital of about 1.7 million billion VND, equivalent to 67 billion USD. The route is 1,541 km long, starting at Ngoc Hoi station (Hanoi), ending at Thu Thiem station (HCMC), passing through 20 provinces and cities. This is one of the strategic infrastructure projects expected to create new growth momentum for the economy.

According to a report from the Ministry of Construction, currently 11 out of 15 localities have reviewed their needs and identified resettlement areas. Vietnam Electricity Group (EVN) reviews and prepares a plan to relocate power projects. 12 localities have reported the need to register central budget capital for the project. The feasibility study report contract could be signed this month.

The Ministry of Science and Technology is assigned to evaluate and announce 37 standards for high-speed railways according to common standards of countries around the world. The process of preparing a feasibility study report determines details about technology and scale as a basis for consideration and decision.

Previously, a number of businesses expressed their desire to participate in investing in this project, such as Vinspeed (belonging to Vingroup), Thaco, Vietnam Railway Transport… Hoa Phat has also just started construction of a steel factory to provide steel rail products for this project.

In addition to the North-South high-speed railway project, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh also assigned the Ministry of Construction to speed up the planning progress of two railway projects connecting with China, Dong Dang – Hanoi and Mong Cai – Ha Long – Hai Phong.

For the Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City urban railway lines, the Prime Minister proposed that the two cities choose technology with unified standards and regulations that can be shared and modern. At the same time, these projects need to gradually localize, transfer technology, and create a supply chain for participating businesses.

Related to Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power projectthe Government Standing Committee gave opinions to completely resolve some problems in January 2026. Many related institutions for project implementation have been completed by the Government recently. Vietnam and Russia are negotiating an intergovernmental agreement on factory construction cooperation.

Vietnam restarts the Ninh Thuan nuclear power project, expected to be completed in 5 years. Among them, Ninh Thuan 1 factory is located in Phuoc Dinh commune, Thuan Nam district (formerly). Earlier this month, Russia’s Rosatom Group had a phone call with Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, pledging to cooperate with Vietnam to build the Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant with the most modern technology.