Vietnam approves data protection law

HANOI: Vietnam’s parliament ap proved 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 ses sion. The railway, Vietnam’s most ambitious infrastructure project, is to run from the capital Hanoi to the southern business hub of Ho Chi Minh City. The 1,541-km (958-mile) project is expected to be com pleted in 2035. “If ODA (official de velopment aid) that bears low in terest rates and has no binding conditions, then it’s good,” Thang said. “Otherwise, we’ll take domes tic loans.” Last month the ministry said Vietnam would fund the rail way entirely on its own, a goal some experts said might be unreal istic. On Wednesday, Thang said the government would arrange $5.6 billion a year over the 12-year con struction period of the railway, which will mostly carry passen gers, but have an option for cargo after 2050. “Cargo transport will be handled mostly by the systems of waterways, roads and the existing rail line,” he said.