First phase of Ho Chi Minh City–Cần Thơ railway proposed at VND 199.01 trillion
The pre-feasibility study for the 175.2 km Ho Chi Minh City–Cần Thơ railway has been submitted to the Ministry of Construction. The first phase is estimated to cost about VND 199.01 trillion, with construction planned to begin in 2028 and operations in 2035. The project management board recommends public investment.
The Mỹ Thuận Project Management Board recently submitted the pre-feasibility study for the Ho Chi Minh City–Cần Thơ railway to the Ministry of Construction. After more than five years of study, a consortium led by TEDI proposed a 175.2 km route through five localities, running from An Bình Station to Cần Thơ Station. The line is planned as an electrified, double-track railway with a 1,435 mm standard gauge, with a single track to be built in the first phase.
The first phase would include 12 stations, four potential passenger stations and three depots, along with maintenance and operating facilities. About 56% of the route would run on bridges, mainly in urban areas, across rivers and where it intersects other transport infrastructure; the remaining 44% would use earthworks. TEDI also recommends building the Cần Thơ 2 Bridge for both road and rail traffic, with six expressway lanes on the upper level and double-track railway on the lower level.
Diagram of the proposed Ho Chi Minh City–Cần Thơ railway route and planned stations.（VietVance）
The proposed design speeds are 160 km/h for passenger trains and 120 km/h for freight trains. The report forecasts annual cargo handling of about 21 million tonnes and about 16 million passenger trips by 2050. Two structural options are under consideration: a route that runs mostly at a lower elevation, with first-phase investment estimated at VND 199.01 trillion (about US$7.514 billion), excluding financing costs; and a predominantly elevated route estimated at VND 204.89 trillion (about US$7.736 billion). The project management board recommends public investment.
The project is proposed in two phases, with land acquisition and clearance for the planned double-track railway to be completed in one round. Construction of the first phase is planned to begin in 2028, with operations starting in 2035. The second phase would expand the railway to double track and is expected to enter service in 2055, though the schedule may change depending on funding arrangements and demand. The project developer estimates that construction would create a market worth about US$1.95 billion and around 36,900 jobs, while operations would provide about 1,668 permanent jobs.
Source: VietVance
