High-speed railways and the tod model: A driving force for smart city development oriented by decree 269/2025/ND-CP on smart city development

Abstract

This paper analyzes the relationship between high-speed rail, Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) and smart urban development in the context of Vietnam’s North-South development corridor. Based on the orientation of Decree No. 269/2025/ND-CP, the paper clarifies that the North-South high-speed railway should not only be viewed as a transport project connecting Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, but also as a strategic corridor capable of creating new growth poles along the route. Unlike TOD associated with intra-urban rail systems, TOD around high-speed rail stations has a broader intercity and regional dimension, closely linked with urban development, services, logistics, tourism and employment centers. The paper also identifies key challenges related to integrated planning, land resources, financial mechanisms, digital infrastructure and multimodal connectivity. Based on this analysis, several solutions are proposed to promote TOD along the high-speed rail corridor toward a smart, sustainable and balanced urban development model.