Laos - Vietnam railway set to operate in 2028

Vientiane - The Laos-Vietnam railway is expected to be completed and put into service in 2028, according to Lao media.

Before construction, the Petroleum Trading Lao Public Company (PTL), Yooshin Engineering Corporation and Korea National Railway will conduct a detailed design study for the railway.

A cooperation agreement on the project was signed in Vientiane last week by President of Petroleum Trading Lao Public (PTL) Company Chanthone Sitthixay, President of Yooshin Engineering Corporation Chon Kyung-soon, and Executive Director of Korea National Railway Park Jin-Hyun.

Upon completion, the Laos-Vietnam Railway will make contributions to the development of a modern and standardised transport infrastructure system, while reducing transport costs so as to promote Laos’ socio-economic development.

The project will strengthen Laos’ connectivity as a transport and trade hub within ASEAN and beyond. It is envisaged to support the Lao government’s vision and the country’s development strategy of transforming Laos from a landlocked country into a land-linked country.

The Laos-Vietnam Railway is a part of the Laos Logistics Link Project, which includes a number of sub-projects such as the Thanaleng Dry Port and Vientiane Logistics Park, the Laos-Vietnam Railway, Vung Ang Seaport, and the Boualapha Coal Fired Power Plant.

The high-speed electrified railway project will be built over a distance of some 500 kilometres, including some 312 kilometres linking Vientiane and Khammouane province’s Thakhek district, and a 139-kilometre route connecting Thakhek district with the Laos- Vietnam border. Total investment for the project is estimated at 5.5 billion USD.

Vietnam and Laos expect that the former will become the leading investor in the country with seven million people, which will be realised via an effort to foster the bilateral trading turnover.

The Lao National Assembly (NA) on December 30 voted to approve the nomination of Deputy Prime Minister Sonexay Siphandone as the new Prime Minister, replacing Phankham Viphavanh.

The Lao media reported on June 20 that the Vietnamese government has provided a grant of more than 2.1 million USD for the construction of a new secondary school in Xienghon district, Xayaboury province of Laos.

Authorities of Laos and Thailand have discussed a feasibility plan to construct a 160-kmexpressway from the central Lao province of Savannakhet to Lao Bao border gate of Vietnam, Lao media reported.