Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh urges swift, accountable implementation of key railway projects: Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chairs the third meeting of the steering committee for national key railway projects. (Photo: VNA)

Chairing the third meeting of the Steering Committee for National key railway projects, held both in-person and via videoconference with nine involved localities, the Prime Minister reviewed the progress made in the first half of 2025 and assessed the implementation of directives issued at the committee’s previous session.

As head of the steering committee, Prime Minister Chinh reiterated the strategic direction outlined in the 13th National Party Congress, which emphasises the need to continue three strategic breakthroughs, with priority given to railway development and starting work on several sections of the North–South high-speed railway, improving transport connectivity with economic zones, industrial parks, seaports, and airports, and accelerating the pace of urban railway projects in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

This approach is consistent with the Politburo's Conclusion No. 49, which charts Vietnam’s railway transport development through 2030 and envisions a modern, synchronised network by 2050 to support rapid, sustainable socio-economic growth and help Vietnam achieve the status of high-income developed country by 2045.

Highlighting the strategic importance of railway transport in the North–South economic axis, East–West corridors, and urban transit systems, the PM welcomed recent resolutions passed by the National Assembly (NA), including investment policies for the North–South high-speed railway and the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong route, as well as pilot mechanisms for expanding urban rail systems in Hanoi and HCM City. He also noted the significance of the revised Railway Law, recently adopted by the 15th NA at its 9th session, which introduces breakthrough policies to attract investment and resources.

Prime Minister Chinh stressed that the implementation must be timely, coordinated, and guided by the interests of the Party, State, and people, while ensuring transparency and accountability to prevent corruption, waste, and vested interests.

Since the steering committee’s second meeting, the Government has assigned 48 tasks to relevant ministries, agencies, and localities aimed at addressing obstacles and expediting project preparations. To date, 23 tasks have been completed on schedule, 17 are underway as part of routine operations, seven are lagging behind, and one has yet to reach its deadline.