Vietnam‘s National Assembly has approved a monumental $67 billion investment to develop a high-speed rail system, marking a transformative step for the country’s infrastructure, economy, and environmental sustainability.
The project will connect Hanoi, the capital in the north, with Ho Chi Minh City, the southern economic hub, across a 930-mile stretch, as reported by a media.
Construction is slated to begin in 2027, with operations expected by 2035.
The new rail system is designed to drastically reduce travel times, slashing the current 30-hour journey to just five hours with trains running at speeds of up to 217 miles per hour, according to a media.
The high-speed rail will traverse 20 provinces and cities, featuring 23 passenger stations and five dedicated freight hubs.
This ambitious upgrade addresses Vietnam’s struggling road infrastructure, which currently lags behind demand and imposes some of the world’s highest road transportation costs.
By improving public transportation options, the project aims to alleviate road congestion, lower costs, and attract significant future investments.
Vietnam’s Deputy Minister of Transport, Nguyen Danh Huy, emphasized the project’s importance. “This project is pivotal for restructuring transport shares and serves as a cornerstone for Vietnam’s leap into a new era of growth,” he stated via state media.
The eco-friendly high-speed rail aligns with global sustainability goals.
Rail travel has one of the lowest carbon footprints among transportation modes, reducing emissions by up to 80% compared to car travel over medium distances.
This shift is particularly vital for Vietnam, a nation grappling with climate change impacts such as rising sea levels and extreme weather, which pose significant risks to its coastal economic centers.
Beyond lowering emissions, the project could help mitigate pollution caused by road traffic.
Tire wear, for example, contributes roughly 6 billion microplastic fragments annually, accounting for 28% of global microplastics in the environment, as noted by Phys.org.
High-speed rail offers a cleaner alternative, benefiting local communities through reduced air and plastic pollution.
The high-speed rail project reflects Vietnam’s forward-looking approach to sustainable development, with the potential to secure international partnerships and investment.
As the nation moves toward greener infrastructure, it positions itself as a model for balancing economic growth and environmental responsibility.
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