Railway projects in Hanoi, HCMC to be audited next year

The State Audit Office of Vietnam (SAV) will audit urban railway projects which are underway in Hanoi and HCMC.

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway in Hanoi. SAV plans to audit large-scale traffic infrastructure projects including the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway

The Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway in Hanoi. SAV plans to audit large-scale traffic infrastructure projects including the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway

This auditing is part of a broader plan of SAV to audit the medium-term public investment plan and the 2016-2020 financial plan next year.

SAV earlier conducted inspections of public-private partnership (PPP) traffic infrastructure projects, including 27 implemented in the build-operate-transfer (BOT) format, under the management of the Ministry of Transport.

According to audit results released last month, SAV proposed cutting the toll collection time of the BOT projects by a combined 107 years and four months compared to their original plans, with one project even forced to cut the duration of toll collection by 13 years, one month and 12 days.

SAV also requested their investment costs be adjusted down by VND1.15 trillion (US$50.6 million) in comparison to the original estimates.

SAV plans to audit large-scale traffic infrastructure projects, especially those upgrading National Highway 1 and building urban rail lines like Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien in HCMC, Cat Linh-Ha Dong and Nhon-Hanoi Station in Hanoi, and Quang Ninh International Airport in the northern coast province of Quang Ninh next year.

If the plan goes as planned, SAV will check the effectiveness of using official development assistance (ODA) loans and mobilizing capital from domestic and foreign investors to carry out these projects.

The projects subject to the auditing plan belong to the medium-term public investment plan, the 2016-2020 financial plan, and the borrowing and public debt repayment plan. The projects are funded by ODA loans, proceeds from Government bond sales, and the State budget.

Work on some urban railway projects is slower than expected and they are facing cost overruns. For instance, a 13-kilometer elevated railway connecting Cat Linh and Ha Dong in Hanoi is plagued by cost overruns, with its capital adjusted up by US$300 million from the original US$868.04 million.

The railway is 94% complete and scheduled for a test run next month. But it has ground to a temporary halt due to a lack of capital.

Another railway which is 12.5 kilometers long and links Nhon and Hanoi Station is in the same boat. It started construction in 2010 and is expected to be up and running next year. However, it is just half-done.

Worse still, the project is facing cost overruns, with its capital shooting up to nearly VND33 trillion from the original VND22 trillion. Its inauguration date has been rescheduled to 2021.

SGT

Other News

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

To accelerate the implementation of the the Ethnic Affairs Strategy by 2030, with a vision toward 2045, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of State management and strengthening oversight of policy implementation.

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

The team examined the APEC 2027 Convention Centre, where main conference activities are scheduled; Sun Serenia Hospital, designated to provide healthcare and emergency medical services for delegates; provincial road DT.975, which connects Phu Quoc International Airport to the convention centre; and the area surrounding Phu Quoc International Airport.

Hanoi accelerates seven Red River bridge projects, many exceed 70% completion

Hanoi accelerates seven Red River bridge projects, many exceed 70% completion

According to the municipal Transport Construction Investment Project Management Board, the city is simultaneously implementing seven projects, namely Tu Lien, Ngoc Hoi, Tran Hung Dao, Thuong Cat, Van Phuc, Hong Ha and Me So bridges. Construction is being carried out on multiple fronts, focusing on bored piles, pile caps, piers and superstructure works.

Dien Bien battlefield legacy powers tourism revival

Dien Bien battlefield legacy powers tourism revival

Seventy-two years after the Dien Bien Phu Victory, its legacy still reverberates. The unity, self-reliance, and resilience forged in that historic triumph remain a powerful internal engine, now propelling Dien Bien toward fast and sustainable development.

Hanoi accelerates shift to green buses, targets 100% by 2030

Hanoi accelerates shift to green buses, targets 100% by 2030

In the 2027–2030 period, the city will accelerate the transition towards the complete phase-out of fossil fuel-powered buses. The share of electric and green energy-fueled buses is projected to reach 79–89% by 2029 and 100% by 2030.

36 fishermen safely rescued after boat breaks down near Truong Sa

36 fishermen safely rescued after boat breaks down near Truong Sa

At 8:00 the same day, KN475 began towing the disabled fishing boat toward Da Tay A island. The towing operation was carried out safely, and by 18:30 both the vessel and its crew had arrived at the island without incident, where repairs and additional support procedures were arranged.

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Held in response to the launch of the Vietnamese Language Day among overseas Vietnamese communities, the event aimed to enhance the quality of Vietnamese language teaching and learning in Laos while contributing to the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Vietnamese language contest in Laos strengthens youth ties, bilateral friendship

Held in response to the launch of the Vietnamese Language Day among overseas Vietnamese communities, the event aimed to enhance the quality of Vietnamese language teaching and learning in Laos while contributing to the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.

Hanoi launches 10 electric bus routes from April 1

Hanoi launches 10 electric bus routes from April 1

By the end of April, the number of buses using electricity and other green energy sources in the city is expected to reach 822, including 683 electric buses and 139 compressed natural gas (CNG) buses, representing 42.1% of the total number of vehicles.