The Ministry of Transport has submitted a proposal on piloting specific and special mechanisms and policies to develop the urban railway network system in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Ho Chi Minh City is set to develop a 49-km metro line connecting the downtown area to Can Gio district to synchronise its urban railway network and improve public transportation.

Contractors have so far successfully tunnelled 647m of underground passageways of the Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station urban railway line project.

Hanoi has approved the development of a comprehensive plan to invest in the capital’s urban railway system, with the goal of constructing more than 600 kilometres of rail by 2045.

Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on December 5 laid stress on the development of modern railway systems in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, saying it is a significant move to settle traffic congestion and environmental pollution while promoting economic growth in the two major cities.

The first two first urban railway lines in Hanoi have attracted a large number of passengers, helping modernise the public transportation network and ease traffic congestion, which is an important prerequisite for the city to strongly develop this means of transport in the coming time.

Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha has emphasised the importance of selecting advanced urban railway technology during the first meeting of a task force established to accelerate urban railway projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The Hanoi Department of Transport has just submitted an investment proposal and a pre-feasibility study report on a project to build a tunnel connecting two urban railway lines, No 2A and line No 3.

Domestic and foreign experts at a workshop in Hanoi on January 19 touched upon technical standards and requirements, and management of urban railway projects in the capital city and Ho Chi Minh City.

Hanoi hopes for the World Bank's continued support to and collaboration with Hanoi in the implementation of projects across various fields, including wastewater management and the establishment of ten urban railway routes.