Vientiane (VNA) – The Lao Government and the Laos–Vietnam Railway Co. Ltd have officially signed a concession agreement for the design, construction, capital mobilisation, operation and maintenance of the Laos–Vietnam railway project, covering the section from Thakhek town in Khammouane province, central Laos, to the Mu Gia border area in Vietnam's former Quang Binh province (now Quang Tri).
Speaking at the signing ceremony in Vientiane on March 31, Lao Minister of Public Works and Transport Leklay Sivilay affirmed that the railway project is a key national one that will help Laos realise Resolution No. 04 of the Central Committee of the Lao People's Revolutionary Party on building an independent and self-reliant economy. The project also contributes to the implementation of the country’s 10th five-year national socio-economic development plan, particularly the goal of strengthening regional and global integration to facilitate production, services, trade and investment.
The project will help transform Laos from a landlocked into a landlinked nation, with access to the sea through Vietnam’s Vung Ang port, and a future connection linking Vietnam, Laos, China and Europe via the Laos–China railway.
Sivilay stressed that in the future, the Laos–Vietnam railway will stand as a symbol of cooperation in a new era, further strengthening the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between the two countries.
As a strategic project backed by both governments and listed as a priority in bilateral cooperation, the Laos–Vietnam railway has a planned total length of around 562 km. The section from Thakhek to Mu Gia is set to span 147 km./.
Laos pushes rail link with Vietnam
The project is seen as a strategic step to help transform Laos from a landlocked country into one better connected to regional and global markets via the East–West Economic Corridor.
