Prime Minister Le Minh Hung and other government representatives, local officials, and business leaders attended the groundbreaking ceremony on April 12. Designed for a maximum speed of 350 km/h, the railway is expected to cut travel time between Hanoi and Quang Ninh to about 23 minutes – a reduction of five to seven times compared to current travel options.
The railway is being invested by VinSpeed High-Speed Railway Investment and Development under Vingroup, with total investment exceeding VND147 trillion (over $5.6 billion). Land clearance costs, estimated at VND10.27 trillion ($396 million), will come from the state budget.
The 120.2 km line spans Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Haiphong, and Quang Ninh. It features a double-track system with a 1,435 mm gauge, full electrification, and a maximum speed of 350 km/h, except for the section through Hanoi where speeds are limited to 120 km/h.
The project will utilise modern high-speed trains with signalling and equipment systems supplied by Siemens Mobility. Technology will be gradually transferred to VinSpeed during operation.
The line will begin at Co Loa station near Hanoi's Vietnam Exhibition Centre and end at Halong station in Quang Ninh. It will pass through three transfer stations – Gia Binh (Bac Ninh), Ninh Xa (Haiphong), and Yen Tu (Quang Ninh) – with a depot located at Halong station.
