Hanoi–Dong Dang Railway upgrade

The Hanoi–Dong Dang railway upgrade is a proposal to rebuild the Hanoi–Dong Dang railway line. Dong Dang is on the Vietnam-China border in Lang Son Province, and the line crosses the border to Pingxiang in the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region of China. The railway is currently used for freight and passenger services to China

The Hanoi–Dong Dang Railway is a dual-gauge railway, with a metre-gauge line for Vietnam Railways and a standard-gauge line for China Railways. There is a passenger service operated by China Railways that connects Hanoi to Nanning and Beijing.

[Dual-gauge track of the Hanoi-Dong Dang Railway at Bac Ninh.]

The current line is 162 km, but it takes 3.5 hours to travel from Gia Lam (Hanoi) to Dong Dang. The line is a single track and at grade, and the trains use diesel locomotives. The new line will be a double-tracked, standard-gauge, electric railway.

The upgrade is part of a plan to connect Vietnam to China with three railway lines. The upgrade of the Hanoi-Lao Cai Railway is currently underway, and a plan for the Hai Phong-Ha Long-Mong Cai Railway is also in development.

The Hanoi-Lao Cai Railway is planned to be a semi-high-speed railway (160 km/h). The speed of the new Hanoi-Dong Dang Railway hasn’t been announced, though it has been referred to as high-speed in local media. Some news sites in Vietnam refer to 160 km/h as high-speed, so it could be either.

There is a high-speed railway from Pingxiang to Nanning (250 km/h), so another possibility is that the line is built to accommodate this train.

This page keeps track of news updates, and it will be updated when significant announcements are made about the project.

Hanoi–Dong Dang Railway Map

[Map of Hanoi-Dong Dang Railway]

Links and Resources

Hanoi–Đồng Đăng railway – Wikipedia.

Hanoi–Dong Dang Railway – Travel guide.

News Archive

2026

Vietnam, China sign cooperation agreement on planning two railways – [25/03/26]

“Vietnam and China have signed a technical cooperation agreement on planning two standard-gauge railways Hanoi – Dong Dang and Hai Phong – Ha Long – Mong Cai, marking progress in bilateral railway connectivity.”

Vietnam plans two new rail links to China – [20/03/26]

“According to a report by the Ministry of Construction, planning is under way for the 156km Hanoi-Dong Dang line and the 187km Haiphong-Ha Long-Mong Cai route, with both expected to be finalised this year.

The lines will be built as double-track, standard-gauge railways of 1,435mm, with investment targeted before 2030.”

2025

Vietnam, China ink seven transport cooperation deals – [15/04/25]

“Four of the seven agreements relate to railway development. These include a memorandum of understanding to establish a joint committee for Vietnam–China railway cooperation and technical support from China for feasibility studies and planning of several standard-gauge rail lines, including Lao Cai–Hanoi–Haiphong, Dong Dang–Hanoi, and Mong Cai–Ha Long–Haiphong.”

2024

Vietnam and China agree to build three key railway lines – [11/12/24]

“The agreement between the two governments to cooperate on the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong, Lang Son–Hanoi, and Mong Cai–Ha Long–Hai Phong railway projects is seen as a major step forward in infrastructure development.”

President Xi Jinping hastens construction of 3 Vietnam-China rail routes – [19/11/24]

“Last month, the Vietnamese Ministry of Transport said it was drafting plans to invest $13 billion in building and upgrading two rail routes linking with China: the 156-kilometer Hanoi-Dong Dang route and the 187-kilometer Hai Phong-Ha Long-Mong Cai route.”

Vietnam invites China railway builder to join project linking 2 nations, begin in 2025 – [07/11/24]

“He also suggested CRCC join other key traffic projects of Vietnam, including the Hanoi-Lang Son railway, Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong railway, North-South high-speed railway, and border expressways linking Vietnam-China.”

Vietnam plans to invest $13 bln in 2 railways linking to China – [27/10/24]

“The 156-kilometer Hanoi-Dong Dang railway (linking Hanoi capital city with Lang Son province bordering China) is set to have an investment of $6 billion.

Based on its 1,435 millimeter gauge, the passenger train and cargo train can run at 160 and 120 kilometers per hour, respectively.”

PM requests prioritized investment into railways linking with China – [24/10/24]

“He suggested the two sides continue enhancing high-level exchanges and meetings, and foster practical collaboration in all areas, particularly pushing ahead the construction of the three standard-gauge railways of Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong, Lang Son – Hanoi, and Mong Cai – Ha Long – Hai Phong to promote connectivity between the two economies.”

Vietnam Party chief welcomes China’s engagement in 3 railway projects – [20/08/24]

“…Li showed China’s readiness to improve the rail linkage between Vietnam and Europe via China and accelerate the feasibility study of the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway. In addition, he agreed to make planning for the Dong Dang-Hanoi and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong railways.”

Vietnam Railway proposes US$87 million for Hanoi–Dong Dang railway upgrade – [22/07/24]

“The Vietnam Railway is proposing an investment of over VND2.2 trillion (US$87 million) to upgrade the Hanoi – Dong Dang railway line. This project is part of a broader initiative to modernize and enhance the railway network.”

Vietnam plans 3 railway links with China under Belt and Road Initiative – [27/06/24]

“Speaking at the Vietnam-China strategic transport infrastructure development cooperation conference held in Beijing, Chinh said the three railway routes under consideration are Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong, Lang Son-Hanoi, and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong.”

Prime Minister: Prioritize investment in the Hanoi – Lang Son high-speed railway. – [21/04/24]

“Specifically, the Prime Minister emphasized the mobilization of resources; prioritizing investment in key, strategic projects that directly impact socio-economic development goals and have a significant ripple effect, especially the Hanoi-Lang Son high-speed railway connecting with China and the construction of smart border gates.”

Government says high-speed rail route to China priority – [09/04/24]

“The government has decided to prioritize the construction of two high-speed railroad lines in the north before 2030, including one connecting with China.

They are the Hanoi – Lang Son line, which will extend to the Chinese border, and a line connecting Hanoi with Lao Cai Province, home to Sa Pa City, passing through the port city of Hai Phong and Quang Ninh Province, home to Ha Long Bay.”

2023

Vietnam, China to enhance railway connectivity under Belt Road Initiative – [14/12/23]

“The two governments will promote a 1.435m- gauge railway across the Vietnam-China border, study and push for the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong standard-gauge line. The port city of Hai Phong is Vietnam’s international gateway in the northern region.

They will also study the Dong Dang-Hanoi and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong standard-gauge routes at appropriate times.”

2016

Vietnam province proposes high-speed rail link with China – [02/11/16]

“The administration of a northern Vietnamese province bordering China has called on the government to consider its plan to build a new high-speed railway, compatible with the rail in the Chinese province of Guangxi.”