Vietnam estimates cost of new railway link with China at 179 trillion dong

VIETNAM has estimated the cost of building a new railway linking it with China’s Yunnan province at 179 trillion dong (S$9.4 billion), state media reported on Wednesday (Oct 16).

The 427-km railway would run from the border province of Lao Cai through the capital Hanoi and port city of Haiphong to Ha Long City, the official Vietnam News Agency reported.

Vietnam has been seeking to upgrade its aging railway systems, including plans to build a high-speed railway running along the length of the country and lines linking with China, its largest trading partner.

Vietnam Railway Authority has submitted the plan to build the Lao Cai-Ha Long railway to the transport ministry for review and approval, the report said.

Construction of the railway is expected to begin in 2030, it said. REUTERS