Hanoi to see 417km metro rail till 2050

Once completed, the 417km long metro rail system, together with the current bus system, will be the backbone of the city’s public transport system. - Photo courtesy of Hanoi Metro Company

The metro system is the backbone of the plan as it connects the inner zone to satellite cities, as well as other modes of public transport like buses.

According to the plan, the Hanoi metro system will run a total length of 417km, of which approximately 76km will be underground. The planned lines are as follows:

The map of Hanoi’s metro network. - Photo courtesy of Hanoi Metro Company

Line 1

Ngoc Hoi – Yen Vien – Nhu Quynh, with two sections: Ngoc Hoi – Yen Vien and Gia Lam – Dương Xá.

Line 2

Noi Bai – Thuong Dinh – Buoi, with further sections: Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao; Tran Hung Dao - Thuong Dinh; Thuong Dinh - Belt Road 2 – Buoi; Noi Bai – Thăng Long; and an extension of Line 2 to Soc Son District.

Line 2A

Cat Linh – Ha Dong - Xuan Mai, with sections: Cat Linh – Ha Dong, and an extension of the Xuan Mai section.

Line 3

Troi – Nhon – Yen So, with sections: Nhon – Hanoi Railway Station; Troi – Nhon; Hanoi Railway Station – Yen So – Hoang Mai; and an extension to Son Tay Town.

Line 4

Me Linh – Sai Dong – Lien Ha

Line 5

Văn Cao – Hoa Lac, with two sections: Van Cao – Belt Road 4 and Belt Road 4 – Hoa Lac

Line 6

Noi Bai – Ngoc Hoi

Line 7

Me Linh – Ha Dong

Line 8

Son Dong – Mai Dich – Duong Xa, including two sections: Son Dong – Mai Dich and Mai Dich – Belt Road 3 – Dương Xa

Additional line

Son Tay – Hoa Lac – Xuan Mai Route, connecting to satellite urban areas.

According to the plan, nine sections of four lines will be in operation by 2025. Line 2A (Cat Linh – Ha Dong) is operating test rides and is expected to be in operation in 2019. Line 3 (Nhon – Hanoi Railway Station) is accelerating construction and is expected to open the elevated section by 2020, with the remainder of the line operational by 2022. Line 2 (Tran Hung Dao – Nam Thang Long) still needs design approval and investment.

With an annual growth rate of 7 per cent, Vietnam is one of the fastest-growing economies in Asia. Vietnam’s cities are also experiencing rapid growth. It is expected that 50 per cent of the population will live in urban areas by 2025. As the country’s capital, the city needs to develop a transportation infrastructure accordingly.

Currently, public transport in Hanoi consists of only buses and taxis. There are two types of buses, regular buses and BRT buses. Once completed, this metro system, together with the current bus system, will be the backbone of the city’s public transport network.