Hanoi accelerates metro construction plans

Hanoi is channeling significant resources into the development of two major metro lines, the Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao and the Hanoi Station – Hoang Mai routes, with a combined investment surpassing VND76 trillion (approximately US$3.16 billion).

Construction on the Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao line is set to begin next year, with completion targeted for 2029. This line will extend 11.5 kilometers, featuring 8.9 kilometers underground and 2.6 kilometers elevated. It will operate with 10 train sets and is budgeted at over VND35.5 trillion.

The Hanoi Station – Hoang Mai line, which is proposed to be financed through official development assistance (ODA) funds, is estimated to cost around VND40.5 trillion. This line will be entirely underground, stretching 8.7 kilometers beneath key routes including Tran Hung Dao, Tran Thanh Tong, Kim Nguu, and Nguyen Tam Trinh.

Duong Duc Tuan, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee, highlighted that under the city’s transportation master plan, extending to 2035 and recently revised through 2065, Hanoi aims to develop a metro system comprising 10 lines with a total length of approximately 410 kilometers. The revised plan adds five more lines, expanding the network to 610 kilometers.

From 2024 to 2030, Hanoi plans to construct 96.8 kilometers of metro lines, with an investment of US$14.6 billion. Over the following five years, an additional 301 kilometers of metro lines will be built, with an estimated cost of US$22.5 billion.

Significant progress has already been made, with the successful operation of the Cat Linh – Ha Dong metro line and the elevated section of the Nhon – Hanoi Station line, which have been well-received by the public, according to Tuan.

The total investment required for Hanoi's metro system by 2035 is estimated at US$37.1 billion. Of this, the city anticipates securing over US$28 billion over the next decade, with nearly US$9 billion expected to come from state budget support by 2035.