CT Group announced a bold proposal to the Vietnamese government on January 3 for a high-speed rail line connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Can Tho.

The plan, carrying an estimated price tag of $9.98 billion, envisages a public-private partnership approach to bridge key economic regions in Vietnam.

Encompassing a 174-km dual-track, electrified railway with a standard gauge of 1,435mm, the Ho Chi Minh City to Can Tho line will integrate 12 stations that serve both freight and passenger needs. By passing through six provinces, Binh Duong, Ho Chi Minh City, Long An, Tien Giang, Vinh Long, and Can Tho, the project is poised to significantly enhance connectivity in the region.

CT Group is aligning with international powerhouses such as China Railway Engineering Design Group Corporation Limited, Power China, China Railway No.2 Group, and local firm Tedi South. The alliance, named CMEX, is geared to secure financial backing from esteemed institutions like the World Bank, China Construction Bank, and the National Bank of China.

The CMEX consortium is not just focusing on transport. It also plans to revolutionise urban development around each station, adopting the Green Transit-Oriented Development model. This involves creating distinct, modern urban zones within a 10,000-metre radius from each station, promoting commercial, residential, and high-tech agricultural sectors, each reflecting the unique character of the localities they serve.

“A meticulous feasibility study is on our agenda for the first half of 2024, with a commitment to bringing this project to fruition by 2032,” a CT Group spokesperson said, adding, “Our vision is to blend technological innovation with sustainable urban development while reshaping Vietnam’s infrastructural landscape.”

Vietnam Investment Review