Ninh Binh Province is taking a proactive lead in preparing for Vietnam's ambitious North-South High-Speed Railway project, announcing plans for 27 dedicated resettlement sites across its districts. This comprehensive strategy aims to provide new homes and stabilize the lives of thousands of households that will be impacted by the railway's construction, which is slated to begin in 2026. The move highlights Ninh Binh's commitment to expediting land clearance and ensuring social equity, setting a crucial precedent for the 14 other provinces and cities along the 1,541 km route that will collectively need to resettle over 120,000 people.
A Critical Step for Vietnam's Future Railway
Vietnam's long-awaited North-South High-Speed Railway is poised to be a transformative infrastructure project, connecting Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City across 1,541 kilometers. A key challenge for such a massive undertaking is land acquisition and the resettlement of affected communities. In a significant proactive move, Ninh Binh Province has emerged as a leader in this crucial preparation phase, announcing detailed plans for 27 resettlement sites within its jurisdiction.
This initiative by Ninh Binh is vital, as the North-South high-speed railway project is expected to require approximately 10,800 hectares of land and necessitate the relocation of an estimated 120,836 households across the 15 provinces and cities it traverses.
Ninh Binh's Comprehensive Resettlement Strategy
Ninh Binh's commitment to ensuring smooth land clearance and timely resettlement is evident in its detailed planning:
27 Dedicated Sites: The province has identified and begun planning for 27 distinct resettlement areas. These sites are strategically located to minimize disruption to residents' lives and provide access to essential amenities.
Focus on Affected Districts: The resettlement zones are concentrated in the districts of Hoa Lu, Gia Vien, Tam Diep, Yen Mo, Yen Khanh, Kim Son, and the city of Ninh Binh, which are directly impacted by the railway's proposed route.
Proactive Land Clearance: Ninh Binh is among the very few, if not the only, province that has proactively moved forward with detailed plans for land clearance and resettlement. This readiness is crucial, as the central government has urged all affected localities to accelerate their preparatory work, with a target groundbreaking for the railway in 2026.
Central Budget Allocation: The site clearance and resettlement work is designated as an independent project, funded directly from the central government budget. This ensures that localities like Ninh Binh have the necessary financial resources to implement their plans.
The Broader Picture: National High-Speed Rail Ambitions
The North-South High-Speed Railway is envisioned as a dual-track railway designed for speeds of up to 350 km/h, primarily for passenger transport, but with the capability for freight when needed. It will feature 23 passenger stations and 5 freight stations along its route.
The project is deemed a national key initiative, requiring advanced technology and rapid implementation. The National Assembly has approved special mechanisms and policies to streamline its development, recognizing its urgency for Vietnam's economic and infrastructural growth.
The Challenge Ahead for Other Provinces
While Ninh Binh's efforts are commendable, they also highlight the significant task facing the other 14 provinces and cities along the railway's path. These localities are now mandated to:
Review and Adjust Urban Planning: Local governments are urged to collaborate with the Ministry of Construction to review and adjust urban planning around proposed high-speed railway stations. This includes modifying zoning, architectural designs, and technical and social infrastructure to support transit-oriented development (TOD) principles, which aim to create vibrant urban centers around transport hubs.
Allocate Local Budgets: Provinces must proactively allocate their local budget funds to carry out site clearance work and establish dedicated steering committees before key deadlines, such as July 1.
Develop Detailed Resettlement Plans: The Ministry of Construction has provided preliminary design documents and site clearance boundaries, tasking localities with developing their own detailed resettlement and compensation plans.
Ninh Binh's swift action in planning its 27 resettlement sites demonstrates a leading example of how provincial governments can effectively manage the complex social and logistical challenges posed by large-scale national infrastructure projects, ensuring both progress and the well-being of affected communities.