Vietnam considers $174M overhaul to speed up north-south railway

Chủ nhật: 17:07 ngày 25/01/2026

Vietnam is weighing a VND4.57 trillion (US$174 million) upgrade of its north-south railway that could significantly speed up trains, carry more passengers, and ease pressure on overcrowded highways.

If approved, the project proposed by the Railway Project Management Board would raise average passenger train speeds to more than 80 kph and increase passenger numbers by roughly 50%.

Passenger trains at Da Nang station in central Vietnam.

The plan focuses on removing long-standing bottlenecks along the line.

It includes expanding and building several stations, straightening tight curves, upgrading flood-prone sections, and replacing outdated rail components that currently limit speed and safety.

Under the proposal, additional tracks would be added at Hai Van Bac and Hai Van Nam stations which connect Da Nang and Hue in central Vietnam, while new stations would be built at Phu Loc in Hue and Xuan Lap in Dong Nai Province near Ho Chi Minh City.

Track extensions are also planned, along with the installation of high-speed turnouts on the main line.

Beyond stations, the project aims to renovate 14 rail segments with sharp curves of under 600 meters in radius, totaling about 17 km, which currently force trains to slow down.

Another 6.9 km of track would be elevated at five locations to reduce flooding risks, while structural upgrades would be carried out along nearly 93 km of the route.

If implemented, passenger train speeds are expected to average above 80 kph, while freight trains could reach about 50 kph.

Rail authorities estimate cargo volumes on the line would increase by 1.3 to 1.5 times, with passenger traffic rising by 1.5 to 1.6 times compared with current levels.

Officials say strengthening the railway's capacity would help relieve growing congestion on roads along the north-south corridor, which now carries the bulk of the country's passenger and freight traffic.

The project would be funded by the state budget during the 2026-2030 period, with construction scheduled to begin in the fourth quarter of 2026 and completion targeted for 2030.

If approved, this would mark the third major renovation of the north-south railway within a decade. Earlier upgrades carried out between 2016 and 2025 improved safety and throughput, but many weak bridges and tunnels, steep gradients, sharp curves, and flood-prone sections remain, continuing to limit speeds and pose safety risks on Vietnam's most important rail line.