Attending the ceremony in Quang Ninh province were Politburo member and Prime Minister Le Minh Hung; former Politburo member and former Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh; Politburo member and Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Pham Gia Tuc; former Politburo member and former Permanent Deputy Prime Minister Nguyen Hoa Binh; Politburo member and Minister of Public Security Luong Tam Quang; along with leaders of central and local agencies.

The groundbreaking ceremony forms part of activities celebrating the success of the election of deputies to the 16th National Assembly and People’s Councils at all levels for the 2026-2031 term, aiming to create momentum for a new development phase.

The Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed railway project is invested by VinSpeed High-Speed Rail Investment and Development JSC (Vingroup), with a total investment of more than VND 147 trillion (equivalent to over USD5.6 billion), excluding site clearance costs.

The 120.2-km line will pass through four localities: Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh. It will be built to double-track standard gauge (1,435 mm), fully electrified, with a maximum speed of up to 350 km/h. The section running through Hanoi will operate at a maximum speed of 120 km/h.

The project is expected to use the latest generation of high-speed trains, along with advanced information, signaling, and equipment systems supplied by Siemens Mobility (Germany), with technology transfer to VinSpeed to be implemented gradually during operations.

Under the plan, the project is scheduled for completion and commercial operation in 2028, reducing travel time between Hanoi and Quang Ninh by five to seven times, from more than two hours to approximately 23 minutes.

Commenting on the project, Bui Van Khang, Chairman of the Quang Ninh Provincial People’s Committee, said the Hanoi-Quang Ninh high-speed railway is a “mega-project” carrying high expectations, demonstrating the investor’s strong capacity and commitment, and clearly reflecting the growing participation of the private sector in key national infrastructure sectors.

He affirmed that Quang Ninh authorities would continue to work closely with central agencies and the investor during project implementation, promptly addressing any difficulties and obstacles, and ensuring site clearance, resettlement, and necessary conditions for the project to be carried out smoothly, on schedule, and with the highest quality.

From the investor’s side, Nguyen Viet Quang, Vice Chairman and CEO of Vingroup, said the project underscores the group’s determination to contribute significantly to infrastructure development, gradually building a modern, internationally standardized transport system, thereby promoting socio-economic development and improving people’s quality of life.

“The project will connect the Hanoi-Hai Phong-Quang Ninh economic corridor, an area with strong advantages in industry, logistics, seaports, services, and tourism,” he said.

The railway will start at Co Loa Station (Vietnam National Exhibition Center) and end at Ha Long Station (Globe Ha Long forest park area, Quang Ninh). It will include three intermediate stations, Gia Binh (Bac Ninh), Ninh Xa (Hai Phong), and Yen Tu (Quang Ninh), as well as a depot located at the terminal station in Ha Long.

According to the plan, the project will be completed and put into commercial operation in 2028, cutting travel time between Hanoi and Quang Ninh by five to seven times, from over two hours to around 23 minutes.