A report on the government's Web site says half of the amount will be spent on building tramways for sky trains and subways in Hanoi. The other half will be invested in constructing urban railways and metro in Ho Chi Minh City.

Prime Minister Nguyen Tan Dung recently approved the project and instructed officials to to begin looking for funds for the project.

The projects are expected to be completed in 2020, the Web site said.

The Associated Press