The Ha Long – Mong Cai Railway is a proposed railway connecting Ha Long City in Quang Ninh Province to Mong Cai on the Vietnam-China border. There is also a proposed Mong Cai-Van Don high-speed railway, which is a shorter route connecting the Van Don economic zone to the border.

China has built a high-speed railway from Fangchenggang to Dongxing, on the other side of the border of Mong Cai. This railway is also referred to in China as the China-Vietnam high-speed railway.

Van Don is approximately 50 km from Ha Long City, and a proposal has been made for an urban railway (monorail) linking Ha Long to Van Don.

If the railway is built, it will be the third railway connection between Vietnam and China (the others being Lao Cai-Hekou and Dong Dang-Pingxiang on the Hanoi-Nanning Railway).

Ha Long – Mong Cai Railway map

[Map of Ha Long – Mong Cai Railway.]

News Archive

2026

Vietnam-China rail link prioritised to boost trade – [11/08/26]

“The Vietnamese Government is prioritising resources for the planned Hai Phong-Ha Long-Mong Cai railway, which is expected to connect with China’s Fangchenggang-Dongxing railway, helping strengthen strategic cross-border transport between the two countries.”

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.”

2025

Haiphong – Ha Long – Mong Cai Railway planned post-2030 – [29/09/25]
“The 187-km Haiphong – Ha Long – Mong Cai railway line will be approximately 187 km long is part of the Master Plan for Vietnam’s Railway Network for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision to 2050.”

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 – [11/22/24]
“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 187-kilometer Hai Phong-Ha Long-Mong Cai is set to link Hai Phong city with Quang Ninh province and with China at the Mong Cai international gateway.

Running on 1,435-milimeter gauge, the project can have an investment of $7 billion and transport cargoes at 120 kilometers per hour and passengers at 160 kilometers per hour.”

Planning for two railway lines connecting China to be completed in 2025 – [25/10/24]
“Hai Phong – Ha Long – Mong Cai railway project, about 187km long, belongs to the railway line Quang Ninh – Hai Phong – Thai Binh – Nam Dinh; starting point at Nam Dinh Vu station (Hai An ward, Hai Phong city), ending point at the rail junction near Bac Luan bridge area (Mong Cai city, Quang Ninh province). The route connects the northern coastal provinces and international transit connection with China through Mong Cai international border gate.

Estimated investment scale: 1.435mm track gauge, electrification, passenger and cargo transport; passenger train speed 160km/h, cargo train about 120km/h; total estimated investment about 7 billion USD.”

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 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 Pham Minh Chinh speaks at the Vietnam-China strategic transport infastructure development cooperation conference in Beijing, June 27, 2024. Photo courtesy of the government’s news portal.]

Chinese giants keen on Vietnam metro railway projects – [25/06/24]
“Chinh also mentioned current bilateral cooperation in building transnational railway routes, including one connecting Hanoi, Lao Cai province and Hai Phong city; another linking Lang Son province and Hanoi; and yet another between Quang Ninh province and Hai Phong city.”

‘Determined to implement the Northern high-speed railway project – [25/06/24]
“Vietnam wishes to exchange and find opportunities for cooperation, and hopes that China will support Vietnam in design, construction, and technology transfer, especially in developing railway projects from Yunnan through Lao Cai to Hai Phong, Lang Son route to Hanoi, Dong Hung route to Mong Cai, to Hai Phong.”

Vietnam encourages Chinese investment in railway, energy projects – [24/06/24]
“In particular, the two sides agreed to connect standard gauge railways across the border by developing standard gauge railway routes of Lao Cai – Hanoi – Hai Phong; Dong Dang – Hanoi; and Mong Cai – Ha Long – Hai Phong, so as to create an important infrastructure system to promote bilateral economic and trade cooperation.”

2023

Vietnam, China to enhance railway connectivity under Belt Road Initiative – [14/12/23]
“They will also study the Dong Dang-Hanoi and Mong Cai-Ha Long-Hai Phong standard-gauge routes at appropriate times.”

Ha Long-Mong Cai railway proposed – [25/10/23]
“The northern province of Quang Ninh has just proposed to the Ministry of Transport to add a railway project connecting Ha Long and Mong Cai cities into the list of projects to be carried out by the Vietnam Railway Authority.”

PM calls for expansion of railway links between Vietnam, China – [16/09/23]
“He suggested that the Power China explore cooperation in Vietnam’s priority areas, including infrastructure – one of Vietnam’s three strategic breakthroughs. Specifically, he proposed exploring the possibility of investing in China – Quang Ninh – Hai Phong and Lang Son – Hanoi – Hai Phong railway lines, with the commitment to translating these ideas into concrete actions and achieving tangible results.”

China begins construction of high-speed railway link to Vietnam – [09/08/23]
“The railway between Fangchenggang and Dongxing, in South China’s Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, spans a distance of 46.9 kilometers (km), and has a designed speed of 200 km per hour. Infrastructure is being built with conditions to upgrade the travel speed to 250 km per hour in the future.”

Quang Ninh will have 3 urban railway lines – [27/03/23]

China-Vietnam high-speed railway to be completed before end of year – [24/02/23]

2021

China’s first high-speed railway connecting port bordering Vietnam cuts through all tunnels – [10/11/21]

2019

Adjusted master plan of Ha Long city to 2040, vision to 2050 – [30/06/19]
“Exploiting and using Yen Vien – Cai Lan railway, arranging corridors to reserve Ha Long – Mong Cai railway along Ha Long – Van Don – Mong Cai expressways to develop passenger and cargo transport.”

Billion-USD projects make 2019 promising for property market – [04/01/19]
“In the northeast province of Quang Ninh, the Vision Transportation Group (VTG), Hai Dang JSC, and Sunny World Property Development Corp Businesses proposed three large-scale projects with total investment amounting to 10-15 billion USD, in Van Don island, which is targeted to become a special economic zone.

Those include a high-speed railway route linking Mong Cai and Van Don, the Hon Net – Con Ong complex of seaport, industrial and urban areas, and the urban complex in the north of Cai Bau island.

The proposed Van Don – Mong Cai railway will have a length of 100km, connecting Mong Cai border gate with Van Don special economic zone, with the central station located at the North Cai Bau urban complex. It will be used for passengers and improve transportation.”

2018

$15-billion projects proposed for Van Don – [02/05/18]
“The three super projects in Van Don Special Administrative-Economic Zone are Mong Cai-Van Don high-speed railway, Hon Net-Con Ong deep seaport and industrial urban zone, and complex urban area in the north of Cai Bau Island.”

“…the Van Don-Mong Cai high-speed railway project will have the length of 100km, connecting Mong Cai border gate to Van Don special administrative economic zone with the central station located at an urban complex in the north of Cai Bau Island. It will be used for passengers and cargo transportation, as well as strengthen connectivity of transportation and urban infrastructure not only in Van Don but also across provinces.”

2017

Current status and strategy to development Viet Nam railway by 2020, vision to 2050 – [13/06/17]
This report from Vietnam Railway Authority mentions the railway in the section for the national railway network 2020-2030.
“To study the plan on building new routes connecting seaports, industrial parks and tourism”.
Ha Long – Mong Cai 150 km.

The Yen Vien-Ha Long-Cai Lan railway project is a cancelled upgrade and new construction of the Hanoi – Ha Long Railway.

There is currently a railway from Hanoi (Yen Vien Station) to Ha Long via Kep. The train service on this line takes over 7 hours to cover 168 km. The line from Hanoi to Kep is on the duel-gauge railway line to Dong Dang on the border with China. The Kep–Ha Long railway is a standard-gauge line.

The new line was planned to branch off the Yen Vien-Kep line at Lin. The line would be 131 km from Yen Vien to Cai Lan (in Ha Long City), and travel time would be reduced to 1.5-2 hours.

The railway project was composed of four stages:

Yen Vien – Lim
Lim – Pha Lai
Pha Lai – Ha Long
Ha Long – Cai Lan

The project began in 2004 and was expected to be completed by 2010. The project was cancelled in 2011 due to a funding shortage.

The 5.67 km section from Ha Long to Cai Lan Port was completed, while the other sections remain unfinished.

The Yen Vien – Kep – Ha Long railway service is currently suspended due to low passenger numbers.

Hanoi – Ha Long railway map

[Map of Hanoi – Ha Long Railway.]

Photos

[Cai Lan Station in Ha Long City (18/09/20).]

[Cai Lan Station platform (18/09/20).]

News archive

2025

The railway line stopped in 2011 will have a new direction for the 2026-2030 period – [27/12/25]

Proposal to restart the Hanoi-Quang Ninh railway project after more than 10 years. – [27/12/25]
“The Ministry of Construction has submitted a proposal to the Government and the National Assembly regarding the restart of the Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan railway project. After more than a decade of suspension, this key project connecting the northern economic corridor is being proposed for inclusion in the medium-term public investment plan for the period 2026-2030.”

Ha Long railway station lies dormant as revival plans take shape – [20/07/25]
“Once seen as a key transport hub for Quang Ninh, Ha Long Station has remained inactive since 2021, with only four staff left to maintain the site.”

Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan Railway: Changing investment direction with new perspective and thinking – [17/06/25]
“The restart of the Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan Railway Project after more than 10 years of delay and delay will have to take into account changes in demand on the Hanoi – Quang Ninh transport corridor.”

Vingroup wants in on stalled Hanoi – Ha Long railway project – [06/05/25]
“The Ministry of Construction has just issued a document requesting the Railway Project Management Board to review the investment plan for the Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan railway line.”

VND7.665 trillion railway project still unfinished after 20 years – [06/04/25]
“For two decades, the Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan railway project, capitalized at VND7.665 billion, remains unfinished, and today needs an additional investment of about VND700 billion to resume.”

9 railway projects expected to start construction before 2030 – [02/04/25]
“The Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan railway project starts at Yen Vien station (Hanoi) and ends at Cai Lan station (Quang Ninh). The total length is about 131 km, with gauges of 1,435 mm and 1,000 mm. This line was under investment but had to be delayed and delayed since 2011.

The Ministry of Construction has assigned the Railway Project Management Board to prepare a Pre-Feasibility Study Report to submit to competent authorities for consideration and continued investment in the route. The project is expected to start construction in 2027 and be basically completed in 2030.”

2024

Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan Railway Project: New turning point – [29/12/24]
“After more than 10 years of delay and delay due to force majeure, the Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan Railway Project is being proposed to restart from 2026, with a new mission and role.”

2023

Hanoi-Quang Ninh railway project under reconsideration – [06/02/23]
“The Ministry of Transport is going to reconsider the Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan railway project in 2024 after it has been suspended for nearly 20 years due to investment problems.”

2022

Bac Ninh seeks approval for elevated railway – [09/12/22]
“The northern province of Bac Ninh is seeking the prime minister’s approval for developing the Lim-Pha Lai railway on a viaduct instead of on the ground as planned to optimize the use of urban land.”

“The province began work on a 131-kilometer railway project linking Yen Vien Station with Cai Lan Port in 2005. It includes four subprojects: Yen Vien-Lim, Lim-Pha Lai, Pha Lai-Ha Long and Ha Long-Cai Lan.”

Railway delayed by two decades traps Quảng Ninh residents in deteriorating homes – [27/09/22]
“The 131-km-long railway project was approved in 2004, and construction started the following year. However, the project’s completion has been delayed several times.”

Unfinished railway station turned into parking space, market – [17/09/22]
“Ha Long Station is a part of Ha Long – Cai Lan, a sub-project of the Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan railway construction project. Construction started in 2005, but by October 2011, only the 6-km section of Ha Long – Cai Lan Port – Ban Co Overpass was completed and put in use, while the remaining 120 km was left unfinished due to financial difficulties.”

Yen Vien – Cai Lan railway line brought back to life – [20/08/22]
“After stagnating for nearly 20 years, the 131-km Yen Vien – Cai Lan railway project, passing through Hanoi and Bac Ninh, Hai Duong, and Quang Ninh provinces, has been reborn, with a Project Management Board reviewing and adjusting the pre-feasibility study for investment in the 2026-2030 period.”

2020

Resumption of railway project remains in doubt – [26/02/20]
“The Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan railway project are waiting for a final decision on whether it would continue to be implemented not.”

2019

Few passengers, mounting losses, but Vietnam train route remains on track – [27/07/19]
“Despite annual losses of VND1 billion ($43,000), the Hanoi-Ha Long train runs daily, preventing rail damage and serving small businesses.”

2018

Vietnam’s $330mn railway project becomes construction ruins after a decade abandoned – [15/11/18]
“A massive railway project in northern Vietnam faces an unclear future, having been deserted since 2011 due to a lack of capital, after consuming VND4,556.4 billion (US$195.93 million) funding from government bonds.”

Ministry wants to restart railway project – [21/03/18]
“The Ministry of Transport wants to secure investment from the private sector to complete the Yên Viên – Cái Lân Railway project, which connects Yên Viên Station in Hà Nội with Cái Lân Station in the northern province of Quảng Ninh.”

2017

Ministry eyes northern rail reboot – [08/06/17]
“The Ministry of Transport has proposed that the government invite investment from the private sector to complete the Yên Viên-Hạ Long-Cái Lân railway project.”

The first route has the route Dong Trieu – Uong Bi – Quang Yen – Ha Long, connecting with Hai Duong and Hai Phong. In Quang Ninh province, this route has the starting point in Dong Trieu town, the end point is Ha Long city.

The second route has the route Ha Long – Cam Pha – Van Don. This route starts in Ha Long city, the end point is Van Don district.

The third route has the route Hai Ha – Mong Cai, the starting point is at Hai Ha industrial park, the end point is Hai Hoa ward, Mong Cai city.

An urban railway section is oriented to be built through the project area of ​​Vinhomes (Hong Gai ward), then across the sea at the beginning of Cua Luc bay (parallel to Bai Chay bridge towards the sea) and then into the area. Ha Long international passenger port area is located in Bai Chay ward.

According to the planning report of Quang Ninh province and the traffic development orientation map of Quang Ninh province, all three railway lines mentioned above have a total length of 293.8 km. In particular, the second route (Ha Long – Cam Pha – Van Don) has a route mainly going to the coast, the last section goes through Van Don airport (along Van Don – Mong Cai highway.

The investment roadmap for the construction of urban railways mentioned above is the period after 2030. Most of these urban railway sections are in the group of projects prioritized for investment (the route from Dong Trieu – Uong Bi – Quang Yen connects with Hai Phong, the route connects Ha Long – Cam Pha – Van Don, the route connects Hai Ha – Mong Cai).

Regarding the other railway system, Quang Ninh has a national railway line, the Kep – Ha Long line, passing 64.08 km long, connecting from Kep station (Bac Giang) to Dong Trieu, Uong Bi and Ha Long.

Yen Vien – Pha Lai – Ha Long – Cai Lan line construction project, with a cage gauge of 1,435 mm with 9 stations including 1 cargo station and 8 passenger stations from class II to grade IV. Currently, the construction of the route is paused, just completed the construction of the section from Ha Long station to Cai Lan port.

In addition, Quang Ninh has a number of specialized routes for the coal industry about 47.8 km long with a width of 1,000 mm.

According to the plan, Quang Ninh will build two new railways.

The first is the coastal railway line Nam Dinh – Thai Binh – Hai Phong – Quang Ninh (section South Hai Phong – Ha Long). In Quang Ninh, the starting point of this route is the Hai Phong – Quang Ninh border, the end point is Viet Hung ward, Ha Long city.

This route will be implemented in the period after 2030 with a gauge of 1,435 mm, about 101 km long; in which, the section south of Hai Phong – Ha Long is about 37 km long. The second is the route connecting Ha Long – Mong Cai, about 150 km long. This route is also implemented in the period after 2030 with a gauge of 1,435 mm. On the route will be added two branch routes down to Hon Net – Con Ong seaport and branch to Hai Ha seaport.

[Original article Quảng Ninh sẽ có 3 tuyến đường sắt đô thị by kinhtedothi.vn. Translation by Google Translate.]