Government Requires Ministries, Sectors, and Localities to Organize and Submit the High-Speed Railway Project on the North-South Axis for the Prime Minister’s Approval, with Construction Expected to Commence Before December 31, 2026.
The government has just issued Resolution No. 106/NQ-CP on April 23 regarding the implementation plan for Resolution No. 172/2024/QH15 dated November 30, 2024, of the National Assembly related to the investment policy for the high-speed railway project on the North-South axis.
[Image of a train or railway]The resolution clearly states that the requirement is to adhere closely to the project’s investment policy approved by the National Assembly to ensure the objectives and scale of construction of the high-speed railway line on the North-South axis; invest in vehicles and equipment for passenger transport, meeting dual-use requirements for national defense and security, and capable of transporting goods when necessary.
This is a nationally important project, large in scale, requiring high and modern technical and technological standards, with a very urgent implementation schedule, and being implemented for the first time in Vietnam. The project is permitted by the National Assembly to apply many special and specific mechanisms and policies for implementation.
To organize the project’s implementation to meet the required quality and progress, in addition to regular tasks, the government assigns ministries, ministerial-level agencies, and People’s Committees of provinces and centrally-run cities to implement the following tasks: Develop and issue legal documents, develop the railway industry, and train human resources, etc.
According to the plan, a project to develop the railway industry to 2035, with a vision to 2045, will be developed and submitted to the Prime Minister for approval, clearly defining the current situation, objectives, tasks, and solutions to ensure compliance with the orientation and roadmap for railway industry development that has been submitted to the Politburo.
Clearly define the areas of the railway industry that need to be developed, with specific roadmaps for each area such as construction; vehicles; specialized materials; power electronics; information and signaling systems; supporting industries, etc.
Develop a project to train and develop human resources for the railway sector, and submit it to the Prime Minister for approval to implement training according to the plan. The project must identify the training needs of the entities involved in construction, management, operation, exploitation, and maintenance, including: State management agencies; project management agencies and units; investment and construction implementing agencies and units; high-speed railway management, operation, exploitation, and maintenance; and other entities with training needs.
Strengthen the specialized project management board to organize the management and implementation of the project. Restructure Vietnam Railways Corporation, coordinate and participate in the project implementation process from the investment preparation stage, the implementation process, and the reception, management, exploitation, operation, and maintenance of infrastructure after the project is completed.
Regarding implementation, the Resolution clearly states that the Ministry of Construction is the managing agency, coordinating with relevant ministries, sectors, and localities to organize the preparation and submission of the project for the Prime Minister’s approval; organize implementation to meet the required progress; and commence construction before December 31, 2026.
Regarding the urban development model following the transit-oriented development (TOD) at high-speed railway stations, based on the proposed location of high-speed railway stations in the area, localities proactively coordinate with the Ministry of Construction to urgently review and adjust the planning of the railway station vicinity, adjust planning, architectural, technical infrastructure, and social infrastructure indicators (if necessary) to implement land exploitation projects according to the TOD model.
Localities organize the preparation and approval of land exploitation projects according to the TOD model at high-speed railway stations. Allocate local budget funds to implement independent public investment projects to carry out compensation, support, and resettlement according to the planning of the railway station vicinity to create land funds for auction to develop urban areas in accordance with the law.
Organize the auction of land funds in the vicinity of railway stations to develop urban areas in accordance with the law to create budget resources for localities and the central government to reinvest.
