Vietnam plans $320M upgrade for 18 dangerous railway crossings by 2030

Vietnam’s Ministry of Construction has proposed a major project to upgrade 18 dangerous railway crossings along three key routes. The plan targets intersections with national highways across nine provinces and cities. If approved, the work will run from 2026 to 2030. The North-South railway line currently has thousands of level crossings, including many unauthorised ones. By late 2025, nearly 1,600 of these had been removed, but over 2,400 still remain. The new project aims to replace at-grade crossings with overpasses or underpasses to improve safety.

Funding for the scheme will total around VNĐ8,375 billion (US$320 million). About VNĐ4,836 billion will come from a World Bank loan, covering construction, equipment, and supervision. The remaining VNĐ3,539 billion will be provided domestically for land acquisition, project management, and consulting.

The upgrades are expected to cut train delays, reduce accident risks, and ease road congestion. They will also lower long-term operating costs for the crossings. The project will focus on high-traffic intersections where railways meet national highways. Once completed, it should make travel safer for both road users and trains. The final timeline and funding details will depend on government approval.