Vietnam Drops High-Speed Rail Plan

21 June 2010 (Last Updated June 21st, 2010 18:30)

Vietnam has rejected a $56bn proposal to build a high-speed railway in the country due to the high cost. Officials had suggested building a 1,570km track for the proposed bullet train project by 2035, but the plans were rejected by the assembly – the first rejection of a major pr

Vietnam has rejected a $56bn proposal to build a high-speed railway in the country due to the high cost.

Officials had suggested building a 1,570km track for the proposed bullet train project by 2035, but the plans were rejected by the assembly – the first rejection of a major proposal within the communist government.

The rail line was intended to connect the capital Hanoi and the southern commercial hub of Ho Chi Minh City.

The train would have reduced travelling time for the route from 30 hours to about six hours, according to the Associated Press.

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