So 6 years to project start. Then just a few more years for completion. All in we are looking to a decade out for project completion +/- a few years.

Meanwhile, in Canada they can't even get a timeline or funding for a single line on the most obvious corridor. And the second most obvious corridor has no timelines, and is only a study of feasibility at this time.

I'm guessing that by the time they're done, California high-speed rail will still not be completed haha.

I have bros who are reds in Venezuela, and they keep complaining that the government won't take the step from non-Imperial Core "Marea Rosada" socdem into actual socialism because they're terrified of being invaded and wrecked, Cuba is great but the material reality is that they simply do not have the funds to truly protect anyone but themselves. Vietnam is geographically blessed that they can have the space to get back onto the road of socialism after their stumbling in 1994 and 2001 having to "restructure their economy" (give in to liberalism) due to taking out loans with the IMF. Their future seems bright if they can forge a particularly strong relationship with the PRC. I'm sure they can crush the Yankee war machine a second time, but I understand 1000% why they're traumatized.

The relationship between these two bordering countries will be most interesting to see, particularly heading more into the future as Vietnam continues to modernize and China as well. Like a mini experiment of communism, or the future of borders and how they will change or blur.

This is the best summary I could come up with:

China is Vietnam's largest trading partner and a vital source of imports for its manufacturing sector.

The other would run from Hanoi to Lang Son province, which borders China's Guangxi region, passing through an area densely populated with global manufacturing facilities, including some owned by Chinese investors.

A massive high-speed railway line linking capital Hanoi with business hub Ho Chi Minh City is also being planned in the country.

Vietnam's National Assembly Chairman Vuong Dinh Hue met executives of Chinese railway companies on Monday during his ongoing visit to Beijing, where he was hosted by President Xi Jinping.

This came after Vietnam and China signed dozens of cooperation agreements, including on railways, during a visit to Hanoi by Xi in December.

The two countries remain embroiled in a yearslong maritime dispute in the South China Sea, though the tensions appear to have calmed recently.

The original article contains 309 words, the summary contains 142 words. Saved 54%. I'm a bot and I'm open source!