Vietnam marked a major milestone in transport infrastructure development with the official launch of the Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed rail project on 12th April 2026. The ceremony was attended by Vietnam’s Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, alongside representatives from central ministries, agencies, and local authorities. As the country advances its rail ambitions, the Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed rail stands out as a flagship initiative aimed at transforming regional connectivity.
Developed by VinSpeed High-Speed Railway Investment and Development Joint Stock Company, a member of Vingroup, the project carries a total investment exceeding VND 147 trillion, equivalent to more than USD 5.6 billion, excluding land clearance costs. Extending across Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh, the 120.2 km line is designed as a double-track, standard-gauge (1,435 mm), fully electrified system. The route will originate at Co Loa Station, situated within the Vietnam National Exhibition Center in the Vinhomes Global Gate Hanoi urban area, and terminate at Ha Long Station, located in Globe Forest Park, Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long, Quang Ninh. Along the corridor, three intermediate stations, Gia Binh(Bac Ninh), Ninh Xa (Hai Phong), and Yen Tu (Quang Ninh), will support passenger movement, complemented by a depot at the Ha Long terminal.
Trains on the Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed rail network will reach speeds of up to 350 km/h, while the section through Hanoi will operate at a maximum speed of 120 km/h. The project will incorporate next-generation rolling stock and advanced signaling, communications, and equipment systems provided by Siemens Mobility (Germany), alongside a defined roadmap for technology transfer to VinSpeed during operational phases.
Once completed, the Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed rail project is expected to enter commercial service in 2028, cutting travel time between Hanoi and Quang Ninh from over two hours to approximately 23 minutes, representing a five to seven times reduction.
Speaking at the ceremony, Mr. Bui Van Khang, Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh Province, stated: “The Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed railway is a mega-project that carries significant expectations. It demonstrates the capacity and strong commitment of the investor, and stands as clear evidence of the increasingly deep participation of the private sector in critical national infrastructure.”
Representing the investor, Mr. Nguyen Viet Quang, Vice Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of Vingroup, shared: “Today’s launch ceremony for the Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed railway affirms Vingroup’s strong commitment to contributing to infrastructure development, steadily building a modern, internationally-standardized transport infrastructure system, thereby supporting socio-economic growth and improving the quality of life for the Vietnamese people.”
As Vietnam’s first inter-regional high-speed railway initiative, the project is positioned to drive momentum in the Northern Key Economic Region while advancing national competitiveness. It also represents the second undertaking by VinSpeed, following the groundbreaking of the Ben Thanh-Can Gio railway line in Ho Chi Minh City in December 2025, which is likewise scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2028. Together, these projects underline VinSpeed’s execution capacity and contribute to building a multi-billion-dollar railway and supporting industries ecosystem, reinforcing Vietnam’s standing on the global stage.
