VietNamNet Bridge – At a press conference on August 31, Minister of Transport Ho Nghia Dung clarified that the Prime Minister has told ministries to continue researching a national express railway scheme – nothing more.

“I confirm that as of now, it is not the Government’s policy to build the express railway,” Dung said. “There is no such plan.”

Dung explained that the Government considers further research on this project to be necessary to clarify some aspects that the pre-feasibility research report did not address, for example its investment scale, timetable, effectiveness and social and environment impacts.

A day earlier, newspapers had reported that Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung agreed in principle to receive Japanese technical assistance on planning for Hanoi-Vinh and HCM City-Nha Trang express rail sections as well as for a project to establish a Hanoi-Noi Bai Airport rail link. Some accounts made it sound that the projects were going forward even though the National Assembly voted down the express rail plan as proposed to it in May.

“Based on this further research, the Government will conclude whether the investment ought to be made,” the Transport Minister said. “Though there will be further study, no commitments have been made either to invest in this project or to select Japanese investors or technology.”

Asked why the government is extending research this time, Dung said that the timing is flexible, but at some time in the future, Vietnam must have a second north-south rail link of some kind. A full feasibility study will take four years.

Dung also said that the Government doesn’t yet have a plan to re-submit this project to the National Assembly.

PV