The North-South High-Speed Rail Project is expected to extend for approximately 1,541 kilometers, with a designed speed of up to 350 kilometers per hour. The project is scheduled to commence in 2027 and be completed by 2035. Recently, the government submitted an investment proposal for this project to the National Assembly, which includes several specific policies.

According to the feasibility report, the total investment for the North-South High-Speed Rail Project is approximately $67.34 billion. Deputy Minister of Transport Nguyen Thanh Huy stated that the Ministry of Transport has collaborated with the Ministry of Finance to assess the current economic scale, public debt, and macro-financial indicators. Additionally, the Ministry of Transport has coordinated with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to evaluate the feasibility of raising funds for the project and related issues. The evaluation indicates that raising funds for the project does not currently pose a major challenge.

The government has proposed various funding options, including issuing government bonds, attracting domestic investment resources, and mobilizing foreign resources with fewer restrictions. The Ministry of Transport suggests diversifying legal capital sources during the project implementation and recommends adding several specific mechanisms for capital mobilization.

During the implementation process, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh decided to utilize government bonds, Official Development Assistance (ODA) funds, foreign concessional loans, and other domestic legal capital sources to ensure sufficient funding for the project. Project funds will be allocated through multiple medium-term public investment plans according to the timeline and project progress.

If the total amount of medium-term funding approved annually by the National Assembly remains unchanged, the central budget’s medium-term and annual public investment plans will be adjusted to ensure funds are allocated for this project, covering various central ministries, agencies, and localities.

Deputy Minister of Finance Bui Van Khieng noted that relevant ministries and departments have closely cooperated, and four financing options have been proposed to support the project.

Firstly, a three-phase five-year national financial plan through 2035 will be formulated to ensure resource balance and fully implement national budget expenditure tasks as outlined in the National Budget Law. This plan will prioritize development investment expenditures, especially for national key projects in the transportation sector, including the North-South High-Speed Rail Project.

Secondly, the government will issue bonds with interest rates set according to market conditions and project implementation progress.

Thirdly, domestic investment resources will be attracted, including public-private partnerships (PPP) models.

Lastly, foreign resources will be mobilized with high incentives, reasonable negotiation conditions, and fewer restrictions.

With these financing options, Bui Van Khieng believes that the financial preparation for the project is sufficient, ensuring the high-speed rail project’s feasibility in line with the approved roadmap.

Dr. Hoang Van Cuong, a member of the National Assembly’s Finance and Budget Committee, pointed out that the North-South High-Speed Rail Project requires specific mechanisms to centralize investment funds. Although the project requires a substantial capital investment, ensuring no shortage of funds during the implementation phase is a priority.

Hoang Van Cuong suggests that the government consider multiple financing solutions, such as increasing public debt, issuing government bonds, or even issuing international bonds to mobilize international resources for the project’s smooth progress.