On April 12, the People’s Committee of Quang Ninh Province and Vingroup Corporation, in coordination with the People’s Committees of Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Bac Ninh, officially broke ground on the Hanoi – Quang Ninh high-speed railway project, which is expected to be completed by the end of 2028. With a maximum design speed of up to 350 km/h, the project will help shorten travel time between the two localities by 5 to 7 times, down to just about 23 minutes.

The Hanoi – Quang Ninh high-speed railway project is invested by VinSpeed High-Speed Railway Investment and Development Joint Stock Company (Vingroup) with a total investment of over VND 147,000 billion, equivalent to more than USD 5.6 billion (excluding site clearance costs).

The project passes through 4 localities: Hanoi – Bac Ninh – Hai Phong – Quang Ninh with a total length of 120.2 km. It is designed according to double-track standards, 1,435 mm gauge, fully electrified, with a maximum speed of up to 350 km/h, while the section through Hanoi has a maximum speed of 120 km/h. The project is expected to use the latest, most modern generation of high-speed trains along with world-leading signaling, communication, and equipment systems supplied by Siemens Mobility (Germany), which will gradually transfer technology to VinSpeed during operation.

The starting point of the line is located at Co Loa station (Vietnam Exhibition Center, Vinhomes Global Gate Hanoi Urban Area), and the endpoint is at Ha Long station (Globe Forest Park, Vinhomes Global Gate Ha Long, Quang Ninh). The route will pass through 3 transfer stations: Gia Binh (Bac Ninh), Ninh Xa (Hai Phong), Yen Tu (Quang Ninh), and will feature 1 depot located at the Ha Long terminal station.

Source: People’s Army Newspaper (Bao Quan Doi Nhan Dan)

Conclusion No. 20-KL/TW dated April 7, 2026, of the Politburo clearly states: Agreed on the policy to establish Quang Ninh City directly under Central authority based on the administrative boundaries of Quang Ninh Province. In implementing this directive, Quang Ninh is urgently carrying out the steps, processes, and procedures to strive to turn the province into a centrally-governed city in 2026.

Regarding the progress, the Deputy Prime Minister requested Quang Ninh to complete the dossier for submission to the Party Central Committee no later than July 5. After absorbing feedback from the Central authorities, relevant agencies will continue to refine the documents to submit to the National Assembly for consideration at the October session to ensure thorough preparation and the highest quality.

On June 26, the Minister of Construction signed Decision No. 1026/QD-BXD recognizing Quang Ninh Province as meeting Class I urban criteria. This is an important milestone, laying the foundation for the province to continue finalizing conditions to realize its goal of becoming a city directly under Central authority.

Recently, the Provincial People’s Council organized its 4th Session to consider and unanimously pass the Resolution adjusting the Master Plan of Quang Ninh Province for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050.

In particular, the Resolution defines the objective that by 2030, Quang Ninh will be a Class I urban area, a civilized and modern city; people’s living standards will be elevated and comprehensively developed in all aspects, ensuring harmonious development between urban and rural areas, as well as between centers and remote, isolated, and ethnic minority regions. It affirms the role as a sustainable growth pole of the Red River Delta and the Northern key economic zone; a dynamic center for development, a leading pioneer in new economic sectors with modern governance models; an international tourism hub, a strong national maritime economic center, and an urban economic center linked with world natural and cultural heritage values; a gateway for international connectivity for the country and the ASEAN region with China. The urban spatial structure will be built towards green, smart development, adaptive to climate change and sea level rise, featuring a multi-polar, multi-center, multi-tier, multi-directional, multi-layer, and multi-functional integrated urban system that ensures tight connections with rural areas; serving as a solid defense zone for national defense and security, as well as a frontline for international economic cooperation and competition.

The province strives for an average GRDP growth rate of about 12% per year during the 2026–2030 period, with per capita GRDP at current prices reaching approximately USD 20,000 by 2030, the digital economy accounting for around 30% of GRDP, an urbanization rate above 75%, and no remaining poor households according to national multidimensional poverty standards. This Resolution establishes a 100-year vision for Quang Ninh as a global heritage coastal city, a smart and creative urban area rich in identity, and an exemplary destination worldwide.

With the Provincial People’s Council passing the Resolution adjusting the Master Plan of Quang Ninh Province for the 2021–2030 period, vision to 2050, another step has been taken bringing Quang Ninh Province closer to its goal of becoming a centrally-governed city in 2026.

Source: quangninh.gov.vn