Việt Nam is expecting to start a North-South high-speed railway project, which spans over 1,500km, in partnership with China in 2026-27, according to Minister of Transport Nguyễn Văn Thắng. Việt Nam plans to upgrade and renovate seven existing railway lines with a total length of 2,440km, and build 9 new railway lines with a total length of over 2,600km, including the 175km HCMC-Cần Thơ line and the 1,545km North-South high-speed railway line. There is also a plan to build 14 urban railway lines in HCM City (6 lines) and Hà Nội (8 lines). PM Chính emphasised the importance of investing in developing railways in Việt Nam, in which investment in urban railways is considered urgent. Both sides agreed on the significance of these three railway lines, which will help connect Việt Nam with Central Asia and Europe through China, and connect China with ASEAN via Việt Nam.
