Revolutionizing Urban Transit: Hanoi’s Bold Initiatives for Metropolitan Railway Development

At the Red River Delta Coordination Council Conference chaired by Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh on the morning of August 17, Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Duong Duc Tuan reported on the completion of the Hanoi urban railway network to clarify the key development areas of Hanoi in the coming time.

According to Mr. Duong Duc Tuan, according to the Master Plan for Construction of the Capital City of Hanoi and the Master Plan for Transport of the Capital City to 2030, with a vision to 2050, the Hanoi urban railway system has 10 routes with more than 410 km in length. Recently, the proposal to adjust the Master Plan for Hanoi to 2045, with a vision to 2065, has added the development of 5 more routes, bringing the total number of urban railways in Hanoi to 15 routes with a total length of 616.9 km.

Mr. Duong Duc Tuan said that the urban railway system is extremely important for Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, and other modern cities as it transports a large number of passengers with high speed, becoming the ‘backbone’ of each city’s transportation and regional connectivity.

Over the years, with the attention, support, and facilitation of the National Assembly, the Government, and the central ministries and sectors, along with the efforts of the entire political system of Hanoi, the implementation of investment in transport infrastructure, in general, and the development of the urban railway system, in particular, has made initial achievements despite the challenges and difficulties in the implementation process.

Hanoi has put into operation the Cat Linh – Ha Dong Urban Railway Line 2A and the Hanoi Pilot Urban Railway Project, Nhon – Hanoi Station (elevated section) on August 8, 2024, which were highly appreciated and well-received by the people of the capital and also marked memorable milestones for the city.

Hanoi also actively coordinates with localities in the capital region to unify the direction of connecting transport routes, especially urban railways updated in the Proposal to adjust the Master Plan for the Capital to serve transport connectivity and regional linkage to create new urban and transport corridors for smooth traffic between Hanoi and other localities in the Red River Delta region.

The city also proactively builds and coordinates with the Ministry of Transport and related ministries and sectors to complete the overall proposal for investment in the construction of the Capital’s urban railway system along with Ho Chi Minh City as directed by the Government to implement the direction of the Politburo in Conclusion No. 49-KL/TW dated February 28, 2023. This includes assigning Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City to establish urban railway systems before 2055.

Accordingly, Hanoi strives to complete the investment and construction of 10 urban railway routes with a total length of over 410.8 km by 2035.

Thus, in the period of 2024-2030, 96.8 km will be constructed, with an estimated capital requirement of about USD 14.6 billion; in the period of 2031-2035, 301 km will be constructed, with an estimated capital need of about USD 22.5 billion. The total capital need by 2035 is about USD 37.2 billion.

Through a review of public investment capital sources and a synthesis of the city’s ability to balance other mobilizable capital sources by 2035, the figure is about USD 28.56 billion. Thus, by 2035, the city needs the Central Government’s support of more than USD 8.6 billion.

By 2045, the city will invest in the construction and completion of the remaining 5 routes with a total length of 201 km; complete the operation and exploitation of the Capital’s urban railway system, including 15 routes and adjusted and supplemented sections, with a total length of about 616.9 km. The capital need for this period is about USD 18.252 billion.

Through a review of public investment capital sources and a synthesis of the city’s ability to balance other mobilizable capital sources by 2035, the figure is about USD 28.56 billion. Thus, by 2035, the city needs the Central Government’s support of more than USD 8.6 billion.

By 2045, the city will invest in the construction and completion of the remaining 5 routes with a total length of 201 km; complete the operation and exploitation of the Capital’s urban railway system, comprising 15 routes and adjusted and supplemented sections, with a total length of about 616.9 km. The capital need for this period is about USD 18.252 billion.

Currently, the city is researching and implementing investment projects for the construction of urban railway routes: Line 2.1 (Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao), Line 3.2 (Hanoi Station – Hoang Mai), Line 5 (Van Cao – Hoa Lac), and Line 2A extension (Ha Dong – Xuan Mai)…

According to Mr. Duong Duc Tuan, Hanoi is determined and has come up with breakthrough solutions to develop the urban railway system.

This includes continuing to research and improve specific mechanisms and policies as directed in the Law on the Capital (amended) to encourage investment and attract investors to participate in the development of transport infrastructure, reducing budget pressure and accelerating the progress of completing investment in infrastructure as approved in the master plan.

Expediting the completion of the overall proposal for investment in the construction of the Capital’s urban railway system and reporting it to competent authorities for submission to the Politburo and the National Assembly for consideration and approval of specific mechanisms and policies as a basis for implementation.

Focusing resources on investing in urban railway routes in the central urban area to address the issue of increasingly serious traffic congestion. Prioritizing the implementation of routes that have been studied and prepared for investment and detailed design (Line 1, Ngoc Hoi – Yen Vien section; Line 2, Nam Thang Long – Tran Hung Dao section; Line 3, Cau Giay – Hanoi Station – Hoang Mai section; Line 5: Van Cao – Hoa Lac).