According to a report by Xinhua News Agency citing Vietnamese media, the Vietnamese National Assembly approved the investment and construction of the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Haiphong railway project on February 19.

According to the plan submitted by the Vietnamese government, the main railway line will be approximately 390.9 kilometers long, with 3 branch lines totaling about 27.9 kilometers. The starting point will be the connection between Lao Cai Province and the Hekou North Station in Yunnan, China, while the endpoint will be in Hai Phong City, passing through Lao Cai, Lai Chau, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, Hai Phong, and other provinces and cities.

According to Global Times, in response to the question from a foreign media reporter at a regular press conference on February 19 about the Chinese government’s comment on this project, Foreign Ministry spokesperson Guo JiaKun said that since last year, China and Vietnam have exchanged views on advancing railway connectivity between the two countries. Both sides have agreed to speed up the feasibility study of the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Haiphong standard-gauge railway, as well as the planning for the Chengdu–Hanoi and Mong Cai–Ha Long Bay–Haiphong standard-gauge railways, and accelerate the construction of the connection line between Hekou in China and Lao Cai in Vietnam. The Lao Cai–Hanoi–Haiphong railway will be approximately 380 kilometers long, with a track gauge of 1435mm, transporting passengers and cargo. Passenger trains will operate at a speed of around 160 km/h, while freight trains will travel at about 120 km/h.

The Lao Cai–Hanoi–Haiphong line is a key part of Vietnam’s “Two Corridors and One Circle” initiative. “Two Corridors and One Circle” refers to the two economic corridors of “Kunming–Lao Cai–Hanoi–Haiphong–Quang Ninh” and “Nanning–Lang Son–Hanoi–Haiphong–Quang Ninh,” as well as the North Bay Economic Circle. This concept was proposed by former Vietnamese Prime Minister Phan Van Khai during his visit to China in May 2004, aiming to promote the economic development of both Vietnam and China through economic cooperation. In recent years, both countries have repeatedly proposed advancing cooperation under the “Belt and Road Initiative” and the “Two Corridors and One Circle” framework to better serve national development and benefit the peoples of both countries.

Vietnamese media previously pointed out that the construction of the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Haiphong railway will help improve freight transportation in Vietnam and promote socio-economic development between regions. According to Hanoi Times, the railway project will strengthen connectivity with Hai Phong, the largest port in northern Vietnam, and promote transportation links between Vietnam and China, meeting the high-quality transportation demands of Vietnam in a fast, convenient, and safe manner.