First resettlement project for Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway completed

Racing against the clock

These days, the basic infrastructure at the Duong Kinh Resettlement Area has been completed. Covering nearly 7.5 hectares, the site features asphalt-paved internal roads, along with fully integrated drainage, electricity, water supply, street lighting, and green spaces. The residential plots have been leveled and divided in accordance with the approved master plan.

Construction of the Duong Kinh Resettlement Area began in August 2025, with a total investment of VND 283.9 billion. The project provides 470 residential plots, meeting the resettlement needs of approximately 1,880 people. It is one of the largest resettlement projects to be launched early in support of the nationally significant Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway project.

During construction, the project faced challenges at times due to labor shortages and rising material costs. To keep the project on schedule, the contractor organized multiple construction teams and mobilized additional workers and machinery to accelerate progress on key components.

Mr. Phan Van Nam, a representative of Loan Khai Construction Investment and Trading Co., Ltd., the project's contractor, said: “We recognize that this is a project of special importance, directly supporting a nationally significant railway project. Therefore, we have mobilized additional manpower and equipment, organized multiple construction teams, and implemented the work in phases. Whenever site conditions and weather permitted, our workers put in overtime to increase productivity. While meeting the schedule is essential, construction quality must never be compromised.”

The timely handover of a cleared construction site was one of the key factors behind the project's rapid progress. Unlike many projects that experience delays due to site clearance issues, the Duong Kinh Resettlement Area was provided with a cleared site at an early stage, allowing uninterrupted construction. Legal documentation, investment procedures, and related administrative work were also carried out simultaneously, minimizing waiting time.

Throughout the construction process, the supervision consultant maintained a constant presence on site, closely monitoring construction materials, roadbed structures, drainage systems, and other technical standards. Implementing all construction components in a coordinated manner from the outset helped minimize repairs and design adjustments, preventing delays to the overall schedule. As a result, the project was completed two months ahead of the scheduled site handover deadline and one month ahead of the planned construction completion date.

Resettlement comes first

For large-scale transport infrastructure projects, resettlement is often one of the most challenging tasks. While residents may support the project's objectives, they are naturally concerned about their new homes, infrastructure, livelihoods, and when they will receive their replacement land. If resettlement areas are delayed, site clearance work cannot be carried out efficiently.

Recognizing this reality, Duong Kinh Ward adopted the principle of putting resettlement ahead of land acquisition. From the outset, all work related to the resettlement area was prioritized and implemented on an accelerated schedule.

Mr. Vu Ngoc Diep, a representative of the Hai Phong Transport Infrastructure Construction Investment Project Management Board, said that the Duong Kinh Resettlement Area was developed early to prepare land for households that will need to relocate to make way for the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway project. Throughout implementation, the project owner worked closely with local authorities, contractors, and relevant agencies to resolve obstacles and accelerate progress. The early completion of the resettlement area will facilitate land clearance for the railway project while enabling affected residents to settle into their new homes sooner.

For many families who were initially anxious upon learning that they would have to relocate, those concerns have gradually eased as the resettlement area has taken shape day by day.

Ms. Tran Thi Mai, representing one of the households whose land falls within the project clearance area, said: “The biggest concern for residents is where they will live after handing over their land and what their new living conditions will be like. At first, my family was worried because relocating is a major life event. However, after learning about the planning and seeing the roads, electricity, water supply, and other infrastructure being built in a systematic and well-organized manner, we feel much more reassured. We hope to receive our land allocation soon so that we can build our new home and stabilize our lives.”

The completion of the Duong Kinh Resettlement Area also provides valuable experience for implementing future resettlement projects serving the Lao Cai–Hanoi–Hai Phong railway. It demonstrates the importance of taking a proactive approach from the very beginning—including investment preparation, land clearance, administrative procedures, and construction organization—while clearly assigning responsibilities and promptly resolving any issues that arise during implementation.

Hai Minh