Vietnam plans Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh City rapid train
HANOI - Vietnam plans to build a high-speed train between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, and Japanese engineers are now studying the feasibility of such a project, officials have announced.
Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung has approved a plan to build a link that would cut travel time to less than one third, or about 10 hours, at a cost of around 33 billion dollars, the government said on its official website.
The plan foresees replacing the single-track Reunification Express route with a 1,600 kilometre (1,000 mile) modern dual-track system where passenger trains would travel at speeds of 300-350 kilometres per hour.
But experts cautioned that planning for the project is at an early stage and that no overseas aid money has been committed yet.
"This project is at a very initial stage," said Pham Cong Trinh, head of the Vietnam Railway Corporation's planning and investment deparment. "We have a plan to build the railway and it was approved by the prime minister.
"We have only started our talks with Japan. We intend to ask for loans from Japan. But further details on the timing and funding for the project can only be decided after many more negotiations."
Yuichi Karasawa, chairman of the Japan Business Association in Vietnam, said Tokyo was now studying the idea but was still waiting for Vietnam to provide it with a total transport masterplan for the communist country.
"Japanese ODA (official development assistance) always requires a plan" to allow experts to study the feasibility of a project, Karasawa said. "Then we may commit some portion of the aid.
"If it is confirmed that the fast express train is really required, then it will go to the next stage," he said. "The Japanese government may commit or may not commit, depending on the study by the experts."
South Korea has also been working on feasibility studies on two major railway links that would form part of the national line, the Korean International Cooperation Agency said last year.
It has so far studied the feasibility of two railway lines, linking the business hub of Ho Chi Minh City with the southern seaside resort of Nha Trang, and the capital Hanoi with the northern port city of Vinh.
Agence France Presse - February 7, 2007.
Vietnam plans new railway link
HANOI - The Vietnamese authorities have approved plans to build a $33bn (£15bn) rail link between the capital, Hanoi, to Ho Chi Minh City in the south.
If completed, it could cut the journey time between the two cities from nearly two days to less than 10 hours.
The government has set an ambitious target - it wants the link built in just six years.
The existing 1,600km (1,000 mile) trip is one of the great railway journeys of the world.
Crossing swamps and forest, in places hugging the shore line, some of the views are spectacular and there is plenty of time to enjoy them.
The fastest train takes 29 hours and the slowest 40.
Ambitious
Built by French colonialists and repeatedly blown up during the Vietnam war, the single track line needs major improvements.
The state railway company's original plan was to do it over nine years, but the prime minister has ordered them to do it in six.
The new railway will be one of the country's biggest ever investment projects.
Vietnam does not have that kind of money, but the Japanese and South Korean governments are offering assistance. But both countries want their companies to do the work.
With such key details as this still to be resolved, it will be an impressive achievement if the line is finished by the prime minister's deadline.
By Bill Hayton - BBC News - February 6, 2007.
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