Awaiting a revolution in rail and property for Vietnam

Vietnam is entering a decisive phase in its economic journey.

- By Vu Viet Linh Vice president of Institutional Research, Maybank Investment Bank

The government has set an ambitious plan for 2026-2030, targeting $1.4 trillion in total investment.The growth goals are underpinned by a series of transformative infrastructure projects designed to reshape the economic geography. At the heart of this vision lies the $67 billion north-south high-speed rail (HSR) project, a landmark initiative that could well become Vietnam's most consequential infrastructure development of the coming decade.

The north-south HSR line is designed to connect Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City through 23 stations, creating a national transport backbone that integrates both express and sectional services.

This design is intended to channel economic activity into secondary hubs such as Vinh, Danang, and Nha Trang, thereby redistributing growth beyond the two dominant metropolitan centres.

With nearly half of Vietnam's population and GDP concentrated along the Hanoi-Ho Chi Minh corridor, the density profile strongly supports the viability of such a national HSR system. Comparative analysis indicates Vietnam's entry point into HSR mirrors the early-adoption strategies of China and India, where rail expansion catalysed strong urban growth and regional development.