After repeated delays, Vietnam’s US$70 billion high-speed railway to finally see light of day

[HO CHI MINH CITY] For the better part of the last two decades, Vietnam has tried to modernise its rail transport network with high-speed bullet trains connecting the country – only to be held back by a lack of government consensus and access to funding.

That all looks set to change, with the US$70 billion North-South high speed railway project – a 1,500 km route linking the capital Hanoi with the southern metropolis of Ho Chi Minh City – finally making some progress.

Earlier this week, the Transport Ministry announced it will complete the project’s pre-feasibility study report and aim to begin construction of two priority sections before 2030. The goal is to have the first trains in service by 2045.