Research on the straightest and shortest Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway route

During his working program in Lao Cai, on the afternoon of December 22, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh surveyed the investment project to build the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway and attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the social housing project in Lao Cai city.

Also attending were Minister of Transport Tran Hong Minh; Minister, Chairman of the Ethnic Committee Hau A Lenh; Secretary of Lao Cai Provincial Party Committee Dang Xuan Phong; leaders of central ministries, branches and Lao Cai province.

The Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway is expected to have a total investment of about 11.6 billion USD, with a total length of nearly 400 km; passing through 9 provinces and cities including Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Phu Tho, Vinh Phuc, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, Hai Duong and Hai Phong.

This railway line is expected to start construction at the end of 2025 and be completed at the end of 2030.

Conducting a field survey at the connection point with the Chinese railway and the planned construction of Lao Cai station, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that in order to achieve the goal of simultaneously starting the project by the end of 2025, the Ministry of Transport coordinate closely with ministries, branches and localities to urgently complete project documents, especially on investment policies and mechanisms, to submit to the Government and competent authorities for consideration.

Considering that this is an important project that needs to be implemented soon, the procedures should also be shortened; the selection of design consultants and construction contractors should also be studied in the form of bidding or designated bidding to ensure the project is implemented as quickly as possible. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested to study the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway route with the straightest and shortest possible route and not follow the old route; adjust the number and location of freight stations and passenger stations appropriately, ensuring effective exploitation.

Along with that, the design of train speed and track gauge ensures smooth and synchronous connection with the Chinese railway line. In particular, it is necessary to closely coordinate with China to synchronously deploy and ensure smooth connection between Vietnam and China railways.

Requiring foresight, broad-mindedness, deep thinking, and big action, the Prime Minister requested that along with completing the railway project, ministries, sectors, and localities coordinate to build logistics zones, service warehouses, free trade zones, urban areas, etc. to maximize the efficiency of the railway line. In particular, research mechanisms to attract investment in component items such as stations, service areas, logistics, etc.

The Prime Minister directed the Ministry of Transport to establish a specialized working group, led by a Deputy Minister, in charge of project implementation.

Localities where the railway passes through must be responsible for site clearance for the project.

Ministries, branches and localities coordinate closely to implement the project. If any problems or difficulties arise, they must be reported to the Government, the Prime Minister and competent authorities for timely consideration and resolution.

On the same afternoon, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the groundbreaking ceremony of the Golden Square Lao Cai Social Housing Project organized by the consortium of Dong A Golden Square Joint Stock Company and Foodinco Quy Nhon Joint Stock Company - a member of Alphanam Group in Bac Lenh ward, Lao Cai city.

Golden Square Social Housing Project has a land use area of ​​42,317.7 m2, a population of about 5,589 people, with 4 buildings from 18-23 floors high, a total of 2,189 apartments, a total investment of 2,085 billion VND, project implementation progress from 2024-2029.

The project is planned with synchronous infrastructure with landscape system, modern utility services such as kindergarten, entertainment center, clubs - outdoor sports training area, children's playground, flower garden, smart modern parking lot.

Speaking at the groundbreaking ceremony, on the occasion of the 80th anniversary of the founding of the Vietnam People's Army and the 35th anniversary of the National Defense Day, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh requested that forces, agencies and units follow the example and promote the spirit of the heroic Vietnam People's Army: Complete every task, overcome every difficulty, say what you want to do, commit to do it, do it, do it, have to have specific products and results, contribute to the development of the country, bring an increasingly prosperous and happy life to the people.

Appreciating Lao Cai province for its determination and aspiration to develop strongly; actively contributing to the implementation of the Party's guidelines and policies of not sacrificing progress, fairness, and social security to pursue pure economic growth, the Prime Minister said that the implementation of the Golden Square Lao Cai project contributes to the implementation of the Project to invest in building at least 1 million social housing apartments; requesting Lao Cai province and related entities to continue to do better in developing social housing, while completing the goal of eliminating temporary and dilapidated houses in the area by June 2025 at the latest.

The Prime Minister requested ministries, branches and localities to continue to innovate their working methods, cut down on procedures, eliminate requests for grants, and quickly prepare and implement social housing projects in the direction of promoting decentralization and delegation of power to localities.

Localities continue to plan land and hand over land to investors early.

All parties participate in implementing social housing projects in the spirit of harmonious benefits, shared risks, working together, enjoying together, developing together, sharing joy, happiness and pride; absolutely not distorting the very humane policy of our Party and State on social housing development.

The Prime Minister emphasized the need to change the concept of quality and living environment of social housing. Accordingly, social housing does not mean dilapidation, where there is no commercial housing, then social housing is built; but with the support of the State in terms of land, with the support of banks in terms of capital and support from other entities and with the forms of renting, buying and hire-purchasing, social housing must ensure quality, green, clean, beautiful, with full infrastructure of transportation, electricity and water, telecommunications, healthcare, education, essential social infrastructure...

In particular, the Prime Minister requested research agencies to continue perfecting policies to support buyers, renters, and tenants of social housing, especially policies that must be in place for 5-10 years, not just 2 years as at present.