LAO CAI, Vietnam, Dec. 22 (Xinhua) -- When Ngo Manh Hai, a resident in Vietnam's northern province of Lao Cai, joked that his family might one day take a morning train to Hai Phong for breakfast and return home by evening, the idea no longer seemed far from reach.
Last Friday, such expectations edged closer to reality as Vietnam kicked off construction of the first component of the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway, an important project aimed at enhancing regional connectivity and promoting economic development in northern Vietnam.
Hai told Xinhua that he traveled 100 km from his home in Dong An ward in Lao Cai to witness the groundbreaking ceremony. He said his property, spanning six to seven hectares of residential land, rice fields, and cinnamon gardens, lies directly along the railway's planned route. But his words were filled with anticipation rather than concern.
"This project is wonderful. Everyone in our community strongly supports it," Hai said. "We hope this railway will bring the best things to everyone, to every household, and enrich our entire country."
The ceremony marked the launch of the first component of the project, which involves building the infrastructure of stations and station squares along the line. Stretching over 390 kilometers of main track, the railway runs through six provinces and cities of Lao Cai, Phu Tho, Hanoi, Bac Ninh, Hung Yen, and Hai Phong.
For Lao Cai province, more than 6,500 households will be affected, with nearly 1,300 hectares of land to be acquired. The Lao Cai section alone will span 143.64 km, featuring five stations and four technical operation posts.
Despite the scale of the project, local enthusiasm remains high. Nguyen Ha, a resident of Lao Cai ward, told Xinhua that the railway is expected to energize the local property market and attract new investment, adding to the city's development prospects.
Officials described the railway as a strategic artery in Vietnam's northern transport network. Tran Thien Canh, director of the Vietnam Railway Authority, noted that the project will bring significant changes, beginning with greater convenience in travel and economic exchanges.
"The railway will promote tourism exchanges with southwestern China and strengthen people-to-people exchanges, thus consolidating solidarity between the peoples," Canh told Xinhua.
Strategically, the Lao Cai-Hanoi-Hai Phong railway connects Vietnam's northwestern region along the East-West corridor to the international seaport of Hai Phong. Canh stated that the route plays a critical role in socio-economic development, enhancing connectivity with China and onward to European markets.
Meanwhile, Nguyen Danh Huy, deputy minister of construction, stressed that the project holds special significance not only for the provinces and cities along the route, but also for Vietnam's overall socio-economic development.
From a business perspective, Nguyen Minh Sang, director of the Lao Cai branch of VIMC Logistics Joint Stock Company, said the modern, high-standard railway will improve cargo transport in northern Vietnam.
"With the railway, trade activities between Vietnam and China will develop in a more positive and effective manner," he said.
Local authorities attribute progress so far to a strong public consensus. Nguyen Tuan Anh, chairman of the Lao Cai Provincial People's Committee, said at the ceremony that site clearance for the Lao Cai Station square has been completed and handed over to the railway project management board. ■