High Speed Plans

The Vietnamese Government has decided to build its mammoth 1630 km north-south rail link in a single phase, rather than splitting it into three sections, as had previously been mooted. The link between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City is expected to cost some US$ 33 billion.

The feasibility study and preparatory work for the scheme is expected to take two to three years, and this is expected to get underway in June. It is not yet clear when construction will start, but the Vietnamese government is thought to be targeting a completion data of 2020.

It is hoped the high speed link will cut journey times between the two cities from the current 30 hours to less than 10 hours.