The construction of a north-to-south high-speed railway is estimated to cost nearly US$59 billion and will shorten journeys between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to up to five hours and 17 minutes.

The joint-venture consultancy TEDI-TRICC-TEDISOUTH, in coordination with Japanese consultants, announced their feasibility report of the north-to-south high-speed rail project on Tuesday.

The railway is expected to stretch more than 1,545 kilometers and cost about $58.71 billion.

The project will include 23 stations, crossing 20 Vietnamese localities.

Trains will be able to travel at 160 to 200km per hour during the first phase, and at up to 350km per hour during the second phase.

The first stage of the construction will be carried out in 10 years, with a focus on sections from Hanoi to north-central Vinh City (285 kilometers), and the south-central city of Nha Trang to Ho Chi Minh City (364 kilometers).

This phase of construction will cost about $24 billion.

The section from Vinh to Nha Trang, which is 896 kilometers long, will be constructed in the second phase.

Upon completion, journeys from Hanoi to Ho Chi Minh City will take about six hours and 50 minutes or five hours and 17 minutes, depending on the number of stops the train makes.

It currently takes at least 31 hours to travel between the two cities by the existing north-to-south train, which is the country’s principal railway line spanning a total length of 1,726 kilometers.

This railway network was put into operation in 1936 and is operated by the state-owned Vietnam Railways.

Passenger trains are allowed to travel at the maximum of 120km per hour.

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