On the morning of 19/3, General Secretary To Lam inspected Dong Dang station in Lang Son province. During his visit, he received a report from the Ministry of Construction regarding investment cooperation for key railway lines: Ha Noi - Dong Dang, Lao Cai - Ha Noi - Hai Phong, and Hai Phong - Ha Long - Mong Cai. The report also detailed the progress of passenger transport connectivity with China.

General Secretary To Lam, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh listened to reports on railway projects. *Communist Party of Vietnam Portal*

Presiding over a working session with ministries, sectors, and localities on Vietnam - China railway cooperation, General Secretary To Lam emphasized the practical and long-term nature of this collaboration. He highlighted its potential to modernize infrastructure, reduce logistics costs, expand international connectivity, and foster mastery of a new foundational industry.

According to the General Secretary, these interconnected railway lines will shorten transportation times, enhance competitiveness, and boost trade and border economic development. This initiative will also alleviate congestion at road border gates, facilitating the formation of logistics centers, border economic zones, and industrial clusters in border provinces.

Furthermore, this connectivity opens opportunities for Vietnam to participate in the Asia - Europe railway transport network. It will diversify international transport routes, reduce reliance on sea transport, and promote the establishment of economic corridors and regional production chains.

To address the capital challenge, General Secretary To Lam instructed agencies to develop diverse, sustainable capital mobilization mechanisms. He also called for establishing a unified national coordination mechanism, clearly assigning responsibilities among ministries, sectors, and localities, and designating a focal point for continuous coordination throughout project negotiation, preparation, and implementation.

General Secretary To Lam. *Communist Party of Vietnam Portal*

The General Secretary stressed that railway development must align with regional economic planning, logistics systems, and industrial zones along economic corridors, thereby avoiding isolated and unlinked investments.

Highlighting implementation challenges, he requested that Vietnam - China railway connectivity be recognized as a strategic breakthrough in bilateral economic cooperation. This must be achieved while ensuring adherence to principles of national development strategy alignment, diversified capital sources, economic efficiency, and transparency in technology and standards.

General Secretary To Lam assigned the Ministry of Construction to develop a Vietnam - China railway development strategy. This strategy will be integrated into Vietnam's overall railway development strategy for the 2026-2030 period, with visions extending to 2045, 2100, and 2130.

Earlier on the same day, General Secretary To Lam and Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh attended the groundbreaking ceremony for the second phase of construction for 121 border boarding schools at Dong Dang Primary and Secondary Boarding School in Lang Son province.

Vu Tuan