Nghe An plans resettlement for nearly 2,000 households for North-South high-speed rail project

The North-South high-speed rail project, approved by the National Assembly, will have a total length of 1,541 kilometers, with an 85.5-kilometer section passing through Nghe An province.

The review by the Department of Construction indicates that approximately 38 residential clusters will be impacted. To address the urgent housing needs, Nghe A plans to construct 30 resettlement areas covering a total area of over 102 hectares. The estimated investment for this large-scale resettlement is approximately 1,450 billion VND.

In its report to the Provincial People's Committee, the Department of Construction has proposed three initial locations for early development due to their favorable conditions:

• Hoang Mai ward (formerly Quynh Vinh commune): An 8-hectare site planned for 200 households, with a total investment of around 100 billion VND.
• Tan Chau commune (formerly Phong Tien hamlet, Dien Loc commune): A 1.5-hectare site to resettle 30 households, with an investment of about 18 billion VND.
• Hung Nguyen Nam commune: A 5-hectare site for an estimated 145 households, with an investment of around 60 billion VND.

These three locations have been prioritized due to their available unencumbered land funds, convenient infrastructure connections, and fewer expected obstacles in site clearance, allowing for faster implementation.

Urban Development Guided by TOD Model

Nghệ An province also aims to leverage the high-speed rail project to restructure its urban landscape. Specifically, the area surrounding the Vinh Station—a key stop on the high-speed line—is slated for development based on the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model.

TOD is an urban planning model that focuses on creating mixed-use residential, commercial, and office spaces around major public transport hubs, such as metro stations, bus rapid transit (BRT) terminals, and urban railways.

According to the plan, the TOD area around Vinh Station will cover approximately 44 hectares. It will serve as a major transportation hub connecting the high-speed rail with key routes like the North-South Expressway, National Highway 1, and National Highway 46B. This new urban center is envisioned to integrate finance, logistics, and high-tech industries, promising to become a key growth driver for the central Nghe An region.

To ensure timely progress, the Department of Construction has recommended that the Provincial People's Committee allow local authorities to proactively carry out site clearance and construction of resettlement areas first, with adjustments to land use and other relevant plans to follow. They have also requested the early allocation of capital from provincial or central government sources to stabilize the lives of affected residents as soon as possible.

The project's route is still under review to minimize its impact on residential communities. The development of modern, synchronized resettlement areas is seen not only as an immediate solution for affected citizens but also as a necessary step toward sustainable urban growth linked to the nation's key transportation corridors.