The Ministry of Construction recently updated the railway network plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision extending to 2050. This adjustment includes numerous revisions and additions related to both national and local railway systems within Hanoi.

The national railway network passing through Hanoi will expand with four new lines: the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong line, currently under construction; the Hanoi - Dong Dang (Lang Son) line, scheduled for construction before and after 2030; the eastern ring road section from Kim Son to Ngoc Hoi, also slated for construction before and after 2030; and the western ring road section from Ngoc Hoi to Thach Loi, planned for construction after 2030. All these new sections are designed as double-track lines with a standard gauge of 1,435 mm.

In addition, Hanoi is designated to have two high-speed railway lines: the North-South high-speed railway project, which will be implemented before and after 2030, and the Hanoi - Quang Ninh line, set for development before 2030.

Currently, Hanoi is served by five national railway lines connecting to Ho Chi Minh City, Lao Cai, Hai Phong, Thai Nguyen, and Lang Son.

Planning two key passenger stations

The plan identifies Ngoc Hoi and Gia Lam as Hanoi's two main passenger stations. The Ngoc Hoi station complex is envisioned as the southern passenger hub, also serving as a train marshalling yard for both national and urban railways. This area will also accommodate depots for future urban, national, and high-speed railway operations.

To the north, Gia Lam station is planned as a passenger hub integrating national and urban railways, designed to operate with both 1,435 mm standard gauge and 1,000 mm meter gauge tracks.

The two new key cargo hubs for the Hanoi area will be Thuong Tin and Yen Thuong.

Hanoi station will become an urban railway station in the future. Photo: The Bang

Ensuring uninterrupted transport through central Hanoi

According to the plan, the current Ngoc Hoi - Gia Lam national railway section will be converted into a local railway and transferred to the People's Committee of Hanoi for investment once conditions are met. However, the plan stipulates that this conversion must ensure convenient and efficient connectivity between the Ngoc Hoi station complex, Gia Lam station, and the city center, without disrupting railway transport operations on this route.

On this line, the Gia Lam - Yen Vien section is planned as a double-track, 1,435 mm gauge line, sharing a corridor but with separate infrastructure from the urban railway. Meanwhile, the Gia Lam - Lac Dao section will remain a single-track, 1,000 mm gauge line, also using a shared corridor but with independent infrastructure from the urban railway.

The plan also requires continuous operation of the 1,000 mm gauge railway lines, both north and south of the Red River, that pass through Hanoi. The operation of existing lines will only cease after the completion and commissioning of the Hanoi Eastern Ring railway line and the Lao Cai - Hanoi - Hai Phong railway line.

Currently, passenger trains on the North-South railway route pick up and drop off passengers from Hanoi station to central and southern provinces, traveling along the Ngoc Hoi - Gia Lam railway section, which runs parallel to National Highway 1. The Hanoi station - Ngoc Hoi section is part of the project to expand National Highway 1 to 16 lanes.

In a new document sent to the Government in may, Vingroup proposed that the Prime Minister consider directing relevant agencies to relocate the railway section and Hanoi station infrastructure to Ngoc Hoi or another suitable location identified by the Ministry of Construction and the People's Committee of Hanoi. This relocation aims to clear land for the National Highway 1 expansion project in 2026. Vingroup also suggested constructing temporary cargo and passenger stations at Ngoc Hoi to serve passengers, replacing Hanoi station.

Following the implementation of these projects, passengers traveling on the southern railway line will depart from Ngoc Hoi station, while cargo trains will operate from Thuong Tin and Ngoc Hoi stations, utilizing the eastern ring line from Ngoc Hoi to Kim Son. Hanoi station, as per the plan, will be transformed into the city's central urban railway station.

Doan Loan