Hanoi to invest in developing comprehensive and modern urban metro lines

On July 1, a comprehensive and modern urban railway system plan was revealed by director of Hanoi Department of Transport Nguyen Phi Thuong during the meeting of the 16^th Hanoi People’s Council. The plan outlines objectives, implementation methods, and an estimated budget for constructing an urban railway network in the capital.

Hanoi has set ambitious objectives for its urban transportation system, focusing on developing a synchronised and cutting-edge urban rail network. The initiative aims to meet the capital’s growing public transit demands while restructuring the city’s transport modes towards sustainability and efficiency. Specifically, the plan is expected to play a crucial role in alleviating traffic congestion, reducing air pollution, enhancing overall urban liveability, and creating a driving force for regional connectivity in the capital.

City planners have outlined a two-phase approach. By 2035, the aim is to increase public passenger transport usage by 50 to 55 per cent. Following 2035, the target rises to an impressive 65 to 70 per cent, signalling a major shift in how Hanoi’s residents will navigate their city in the coming decades.

“To reach the goal, Hanoi has established a strategy known as ‘one plan, three investment phases’. Total investment for all three phases is estimated at $55 billion,” said Thuong.

In the 2024-2030 phase, the target is to complete the construction of 96.8km (including lines 2, 3, and 5), about 24 per cent of the total length of urban rail lines according to the Hanoi Capital Transport Planning approved in Decision No.519/QD-TTg.

In the 2031-2035 phase, the goal is to complete the construction of 301km (including metro lines 1, 2A extended to Xuan Mai, 4, 6, 7, and 8, and metro lines connecting satellite urban areas). The preliminary capital requirement for this phase will be approximately $22.57 billion.

Hanoi expects to balance about $28.56 billion by 2035. By 2045, it may balance about $29.21 billion, sufficient to meet the needs of this phase. Thus, from now until 2035, Hanoi will need central government support of about $8.61 billion.