Vietnam Breaks Ground on Its First High-Speed Railway, Connecting Hanoi to Quang Ninh in 23 Minutes

The official launch of the $5.6 billion Hanoi–Quang Ninh high-speed railway on 12 April 2026 marks a historic milestone for Vietnam's rail sector.

A $5.6 Billion Groundbreaking Ceremony

On 12 April 2026, newly elected Prime Minister Le Minh Hung presided over the groundbreaking ceremony for Vietnam's first high-speed railway (HSR), held at the construction site of Ha Long Xanh Station in Tuan Chau Ward, Quang Ninh Province. The project, developed by Vingroup — Vietnam's largest private conglomerate — represents a total investment exceeding VND 147 trillion (approximately USD 5.6 billion), excluding land clearance costs. The line will span 120.2 km across four provinces: Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hai Phong, and Quang Ninh, with four main passenger stations and two maintenance depots.

Technical Specifications and German Partnership

Designed as a double-track, standard-gauge (1,435 mm), fully electrified line, the Hanoi–Quang Ninh HSR will accommodate a maximum operating speed of 350 km/h. Travel time between the capital and the tourism hub of Ha Long Bay will be reduced to approximately 23 minutes, compared to more than two hours by road. The advanced signalling and communication systems, as well as next-generation high-speed trainsets, will be supplied by Germany's Siemens Mobility, marking the German manufacturer's first HSR rolling stock and signalling contract in Vietnam. The project is expected to reach commercial operations by the end of 2028.

A Pioneer for Vietnam's Broader HSR Ambitions

The Hanoi–Quang Ninh corridor is the first segment of Vietnam's long-term rail transformation programme. Vietnam's National Assembly approved in November 2024 the flagship 1,541 km North–South HSR project — worth USD 67 billion — connecting Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City at 350 km/h, with a targeted groundbreaking by December 2026. The Hanoi–Quang Ninh line serves as both a proof of concept and an industrial catalyst, showcasing Vietnam's capacity to deliver privately financed HSR infrastructure ahead of the larger national programme.

Sources: Vingroup / Vietnam.vn — "Vingroup Launches Hanoi–Quang Ninh High-Speed Railway Project" — 12 April 2026 ; Tuoi Tre News — "Vietnam's new PM attends groundbreaking for $5.6bn high-speed railway deploying German technology" — 12 April 2026 ; Vietnam.vn — "Construction of the Hanoi–Quang Ninh high-speed railway scheduled to begin in April 2026" — April 2026.