The launch at Ha Noi Station on August 19 is part of 250 projects commenced and inaugurated nationwide to celebrate the 80th anniversary of the National Day.

The biometric system, officially operational from August 19, authenticates passengers using chip-based citizen ID cards. It is fully connected with the national population database, ensuring accuracy, security, and high legal validity.

During its pilot phase from August 1 to 10, the system reduced average ticket-checking time to just three to five seconds per passenger, about 50% faster than QR scanning, with a recognition success rate above 98%.

Passenger surveys showed 92% rated the system as convenient or very convenient, with significant improvements in efficiency, particularly at peak times.

According to VNR General Director Hoang Gia Khanh, integration with the VNeID application will soon allow passengers to use digital ID data without carrying physical ID cards, paving the way for a fully electronic nationwide ticketing model.

Alongside the technology upgrade, VNR also unveiled the “Ha Noi 5 Gates” train (The Ha Noi Train), inspired by the historic gates of the ancient Thang Long Citadel. Its carriages are named after five iconic gates: Cau Den, Quan Chuong, Cau Giay, Cho Dua, and Dong Mac, symbolising the capital’s thousand-year cultural heritage.

The train comprises five double-deck seated carriages and two check-in carriages, each designed with unique interiors and panoramic windows for scenic views. On board, passengers can enjoy traditional cultural performances such as quan ho (love duet) folk sing, ca tru (ceremonial singing), cheo (Vietnamese traditional opera), and xam (blind wanderers’ music).

VNR emphasised that the “Ha Noi 5 Gates” train is more than a tourism product; it combines heritage preservation with modern innovation, aiming to bring rail travel closer to urban life while promoting cultural values and tourism.

The train is expected to enter service in September 2025.