NA deputies scrutinise investment policy for North-South high-speed railway project
Legislators looked into the investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway project on November 20 afternoon, part of the ongoing second phase of the 15th National Assembly’s eighth session.
Hanoi (VNA) – Legislators looked into the investment policy for the North-South high-speed railway project on November 20 afternoon, part of the ongoing second phase of the 15th National Assembly’s eighth session.
According to the Government's proposal, the high-speed railway is set to meet transportation demands, and contribute to sustainably restructuring the transportation market share along the North-South corridor, creating a catalyst for socio-economic development and ensuring national defence and security.
The Government proposed constructing a new electrified double-track railway with a standard gauge of 1,435 mm, a design speed of 350 km/h, and a load capacity of 22.5 tonnes per axle. It will span 1,541km, crossing 20 provinces and cities.
Regarding the project timeline, the building and approval of the feasibility study report and front-end engineering design (FEED) are planned for 2025–2026; and land clearance, contractor selection, and project commencement in 2027, with the goal of completing the entire route by 2035.
The preliminary total investment for the project is estimated at 1.7 quadrillion VND (around 67.34 billion USD). To ensure its progress and success, 19 special policies have been proposed.
In its verification report, the NA's Committee for Economic Affairs said, debt repayment and outstanding public debt have tended to increase in recent years, adding by 2025, the Government’s direct debt repayment obligations are projected to account for approximately 24% of the state budget revenue, nearing the allowable ceiling of 25%.
The agency, therefore, recommended that the government conduct a detailed assessment of the project's impact on the state budget deficit, public debt, and the medium- and long-term debt repayment capacity of the state budget. It also emphasised strict adherence to public debt safety thresholds to ensure national financial security and avoid placing repayment pressures on future periods.
Also in the afternoon session, NA deputies opined on adjustments to the investment policy for the Long Thanh International Airport project, along with the draft law amending and supplementing a number of articles of the Law on the Supervisory Activities of the National Assembly and People's Councils.
🎃 In the morning, they discussed the draft Law on Teachers./.
A seminar to discuss opportunities and challenges for Vietnamese businesses in joining the North-South high-speed railway project was held in Hanoi on November 19, attracting the participation of representatives from the Ministry of Transport and businesses.
As the National Assembly is deliberating the landmark North-South high-speed railway project, domestic enterprises are stepping forward with bold commitments to contribute to the 67.34-billion USD project.
Constructing a high-speed railway from the North to the South will create momentum for economic growth, according to Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong.
General Secretary of the Communist Party of Vietnam Central Committee To Lam and his spouse Ngo Phuong Ly departed from Hanoi on August 10 morning for a four-day state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK), which is made at an invitation of RoK President Lee Jae Myung.
As part of the ASEAN Day celebrations, the Vietnamese embassy will also host the ASEAN Family Day 2025 in Ottawa to foster solidarity and community spirit among ASEAN members in Canada.
State President Luong Cuong’s trip once again reaffirmed the Party and State’s foreign policy of independence, self-reliance, diversification and multilateralisation of relations. It also reflected the strong trend of enhanced cooperation among countries of the Global South in shaping a new, more multipolar, fair and equitable world order.
The outcomes of Party General Secretary To Lam's visit will serve as a driving force and source of inspiration for the two countries to inherit, promote, and elevate their Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, contributing to the national construction and development cause in each country, and to peace, cooperation, and development in the region and the world.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 9 inspected the construction site of the new Phong Chau bridge, and surveyed a planned route for the Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway section running through the northern province of Phu Tho.
Across print, broadcast, and online platforms, Angolan media portrayed State President Luong Cuong's visit as a warm and historic occasion, strengthening bilateral ties and boosting Vietnam’s presence in Africa through the AU.
The 500kV Lao Cai – Vinh Yen power transmission line has a total investment of over 7.41 trillion VND (282.5 million USD), and a total length of 229.5 km, passing through 31 communes in the two provinces, and comprising 468 transmission tower foundations.
The visits reflected the elevated position of Vietnam’s foreign policy in the new era—aimed at not only advancing ties with key regional partners like Egypt and Angola but also delivering a strategic message about Vietnam’s commitment to deepening relations with African nations as a whole.
At their talks and meetings, President Cuong and Angola’s top leaders affirmed that the close brotherhood and traditional friendship are a valuable shared asset and a solid foundation for the two nations to advance into a new phase of development.
The ruling People’s Movement for the Liberation of Angola (MPLA) attaches great importance to the friendship, solidarity, and comradeship with the Communist Party of Vietnam, and voiced her Party’s wish to further deepen and expand relations between the two sides for the benefit of the Vietnamese and Angolan people.
Vietnam pledges to do its utmost to build an ASEAN of solidarity, consensus, and unity in diversity, and to foster a fast and sustainable development path for ASEAN, grounded in science, technology, and innovation, said Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh.
Party General Secretary To Lam called on the criminal police force to accelerate the application of science, technology, artificial intelligence, and digital transformation in criminal investigation tasks such as crime prevention, detection, tracking and verification, ensuring that no area remains out of their reach.
Many Koreans living, studying, and working in Hanoi see the upcoming state visit to the Republic of Korea (RoK) by Party General Secretary To Lam as an opportunity to generate strong synergy in economic cooperation, people-to-people exchanges, and cultural understanding.
The achievements of the five decades of Vietnam–Angola cooperation provide a strong and enduring foundation, as well as momentum for the two sides to consolidate, expand, and bring their partnership into a new phase of development.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh stressed that the emulation and commendation work is a vital driver, fostering patriotism, dedication, and collective momentum in the run-up to the 11th National Patriotic Emulation Congress, Party congresses at all levels, and the 14th National Party Congress.
Emphasising the need for sustainable, long-term collaboration, National Assembly Chairman Tran Thanh Man called on Japanese investors not only to bring in capital but also to share expertise and modern technology, especially in areas such as green transformation, the circular economy, and advanced corporate governance.
President Luong Cuong's activities during his state visit to Angola, the celebration of the financial sector's 80th traditional day, and the Foreign Ministry's flag-hoisting ceremony marking the 58th founding anniversary of ASEAN are among news highlights on August 8.
Vietnamese Ambassador to Thailand Pham Viet Hung praised the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ meaningful initiative, noting that the ASEAN Family Run was not only a sporting activity but also an opportunity for diplomats and their families to show unity, connection, and solidarity within the ASEAN family.
Politburo member, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on August 8 attended the first congress of the Party Organisation of Tay Ho ward of Hanoi for the 2025–2030 term, during which he called for fresh momentum to turn the ward into a model that takes the lead in all fields.
The size of the economy increased from over 5 billion USD in 1986 to over 476 billion USD by 2024, making Vietnam the fourth-largest economy in Southeast Asia and the 34th largest in the world.
