Vietnam is moving forward with plans for a new 175-kilometer railway connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho, a project valued at over US$6.5 billion.

 

Vietnam’s Mekong Delta Could Get Its First Railway in Nearly 70 Years

Vietnam is moving forward with plans for a new 175-kilometer railway connecting Ho Chi Minh City and Can Tho, a project valued at over US$6.5 billion. If approved, it would become the Mekong Delta’s first rail connection since the old Saigon–My Tho railway ceased operations in the late 1950s.

The proposed route would link Ho Chi Minh City, Tay Ninh, Dong Thap, Vinh Long, and Can Tho, with passenger trains running at speeds of up to 160 km/h and freight trains reaching 120 km/h. The line is expected to include 12 stations and 3 depots along the route.

The Mekong Delta is one of Vietnam’s most important regions, known as the country’s rice bowl and a major source of seafood and fruit exports. Today, most travelers and goods rely on roads and waterways, which are often heavily congested.

The railway is part of Vietnam’s ambitious plan to modernize its transportation network, alongside the future North–South High-Speed Railway. Authorities aim to complete the Ho Chi Minh City–Can Tho line by 2035.

If realized, the project could significantly improve travel between southern Vietnam’s largest city and the heart of the Mekong Delta, making the region more accessible for both locals and visitors.

Proposed route: Ho Chi Minh City → Tay Ninh → Dong Thap → Vinh Long → Can Tho

Estimated investment: US$6.5 billion

Maximum passenger speed: 160 km/h

Target completion: 2035

See less

Vietnam Travel Tips