THE HANOI TIMES — Hanoi Metro officially inaugurated an automated fare-collection (AFC) system integrating digital identity, electronic authentication, biometric recognition and cashless payment on the Cat Linh–Ha Dong urban railway line starting December 5.

The launch marks a major advancement for Hanoi’s metro and transport sector as the city aims to build a modern, smart and environmentally friendly mobility network.

Hanoi Metro and its partners, Visa and Thang Long Software, have upgraded management software, data servers, multi-standard readers and gate-control circuits while ensuring safety and uninterrupted operation on the Cat Linh–Ha Dong and Nhon–Hanoi Railway Station routes.

The company began a full-line pilot on August 20, drawing nearly 71,000 registered users and more than 344,000 uses. Feedback remained positive and the transition to the new system ended on November 18, 2025.

According to Khuat Viet Hung, Chairman of the Member Council of Hanoi Metro, the company guarantees system safety and maximizes the use of existing AFC infrastructure.

Hanoi Metro prioritizes domestic, open and interoperable technology, drives practical outcomes from digital transformation, lowers operating costs, strengthens governance and improves passenger convenience.

The company has installed multi-standard readers and AI cameras, upgraded gate-control circuits, expanded servers and cybersecurity systems, connected the AFC accounts to the RAR Center through the Hanoi Metro App and synchronized ticket data with VNeID.

The system now supports ticket purchases on VNeID and the mobile app through QR code, NFC and chip-based ID, along with biometric recognition and Tap-and-Go cashless payment.

In the next stage, Hanoi Metro will complete integration with VNeID, the National Ticketing Platform and the Ministry of Public Security’s Transport Hub.

The company will finish all safety and security assessments and begin Phase 2 at eight stations of the Nhon–Hanoi Railway Station line once its warranty ends on December 16, 2025.

The company will test hardware upgrades from December 25 to 31. Starting January 1, 2026, the system will operate through 30% of fare gates. By January 31, 2026, all hardware and data-center upgrades will finish, enabling full operation in February 2026.

The rollout represents a significant step toward a modern, smart and efficient public-transport system in Hanoi, improving the passenger experience and optimizing operations.

Hung said the adoption of digital identity, electronic authentication and biometric technologies will improve operational efficiency and give passengers a safer, more convenient and environmentally friendly service.

Since entering operation, Hanoi Metro has safely operated more than 424,000 passenger-carrying train trips and served over 53.2 million passenger journeys across its two metro lines, maintaining absolute safety throughout the entire operation process.