Vietnam has approved the construction of a high-speed railway connecting the capital Hanoi in the north with the financial capital of Ho Chi Minh in the south

Vietnam's 15th National Assembly has passed a resolution on the investment policy for the north-south high-speed railway project with a total investment of 1.7 quadrillion Vietnamese dong (about US$67 billion).

The National Assembly of Vietnam has approved a government proposal to build a 1541km high-speed line connecting Hanoi with Ho Chi Minh City.

The railway, which will stretch more than 1,500 kilometres (930 miles) from the capital in the north to the country's business hub in the south, will reduce the current journey time by rail from 30 hours to around five.

Vietnam's parliament approved laws on data protection and electricity, as well as a resolution supporting a $67 billion high-speed rail project on Saturday, the last day of its twice-yearly regular session.

Vietnam has approved the construction of a high-speed railway connecting the capital Hanoi in the north to Ho Chi Minh city in the south at an estimated cost of $67 billion.