Under the city's proposed plan, construction will start on Metro Lines 1, 2, 8, 10 and 14, all of which are considered strategic components of Hanoi's future public transport network.
A Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway train (Photo: Manh Quan).
Metro Line 1 will span approximately 81 kilometres, connecting Hung Vuong Stadium, the railway industrial zone, Ngoc Hoi, Hanoi Railway Station, Yen Vien, Thu Lam multifunctional urban area and Noi Bai International Airport. The project carries an estimated investment of VND 389.527 trillion (approximately USD 14.9 billion).
Metro Line 2 will stretch about 56.5 kilometres, linking Noi Bai International Airport, Tran Hung Dao, Thuong Dinh and Hung Vuong Stadium. Total investment is estimated at VND 271.708 trillion (approximately USD 10.4 billion).
Metro Line 8 will be approximately 91 kilometres long, including about 66 kilometres within Hanoi. The route will connect Hoa Lac, Son Dong, Mai Dich Ring Road 3, Linh Nam and Duong Xa. Investment for the Hanoi section is estimated at VND 317.393 trillion (approximately USD 12.1 billion).
Metro Line 10 will extend roughly 43 kilometres, connecting Co Loa, Vo Chi Cong, Ring Road 3, Ring Road 2.5 and Times City Urban Area. The project is expected to cost VND 206.786 trillion (approximately USD 7.9 billion).
Metro Line 14 will run about 32 kilometres, including approximately 27 kilometres within Hanoi. The route will connect Thang Long Bridge, Hong Ha and Ocean Park. Investment for the Hanoi section is estimated at VND 129.842 trillion (approximately USD 5 billion).
Nguyen Ba Son, deputy head of the Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board, said the simultaneous launch marks a fundamental shift in the city's investment approach.
"In the past, Hanoi developed metro lines individually. We are now moving towards synchronised investment in multiple routes at the same time, aiming to complete a comprehensive mass transit network within a shorter timeframe," he said.
Under Hanoi's 100-year master plan, the capital is expected to develop a network of 18 urban railway lines with a total length of approximately 979 kilometres.
The city aims to complete around 500 kilometres of urban railway by 2035, with the remaining sections scheduled for completion between 2035 and 2045.
Son said the five metro projects would serve as the backbone of Hanoi's future urban development, supporting a multi-centre and multi-directional growth model.
Beyond easing traffic congestion, the metro network is expected to open up new development corridors, facilitate the creation of modern urban areas and accelerate the renewal of existing districts.
In addition to their transport and urban planning benefits, the projects are expected to contribute significantly to economic growth, supporting the government's goal of achieving double-digit growth rates for Hanoi in the coming years.
Hanoi currently operates two metro lines: Cat Linh-Ha Dong and the elevated section of the Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station route. Several other metro projects are also under construction.