The Hanoi People’s Committee signed contracts on October 15 for the construction of urban railway lines 1, 2, 8, 10 and 14.
The agreements were signed by the Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board (MRB) and a consortium comprising Vinhomes JSC and SGC Investment and Construction JSC. The projects will be delivered under an engineering, procurement and construction (EPC) or turnkey model, using standard FIDIC contracts.
Five metro lines covering more than 253km
The five lines will have a combined length of about 253.5km, supported by depots for train maintenance, repairs and operations.
Line 1 will run for about 59km, linking Hung Vuong Stadium, a railway industrial park, Ngoc Hoi, Hanoi Railway Station, Yen Vien, Thu Lam urban area and Noi Bai International Airport.
Line 2 will cover about 60km, running from Noi Bai International Airport through Nam Thang Long, Tran Hung Dao and Thuong Dinh to either Thuong Phuc or Hung Vuong Stadium.
Line 8 will span about 64km, connecting Hoa Lac, Son Dong, Mai Dich, Ring Road 3, Linh Nam and Thuan An.
Line 10 will run for about 38.7km, passing through Vo Chi Cong, Ring Road 2.5, the Times City/Vinh Tuy area and Co Loa/Dong Anh.
Line 14 will cover about 31.8km, linking Thang Long Bridge, Hong Ha and the Ocean Park/Gia Lam area.
The network is designed to connect central Hanoi with satellite urban areas, new development zones, airports and major transport hubs. Once operational, the lines are expected to increase public transport capacity, ease pressure on roads and support transit-oriented development (TOD).
Speaking at the signing ceremony, Hanoi People’s Committee chairman Vu Dai Thang said the simultaneous implementation of five urban railway lines was particularly important for the capital’s development.
“The project is very large in scale, technically complex and subject to a tight schedule, with completion targeted for 2030,” he said. “Once completed, the five lines will make an important contribution to building a high-capacity public transport network, reducing traffic congestion, improving the environment and enabling urban areas to develop around public transport.”
Moving towards fully automated, driverless trains
The five metro lines are intended to use a unified set of technical standards, laying the foundation for integrated connections and consistent operations across the network.
Proposed specifications include standard-gauge tracks measuring 1,435mm and a communications-based train control (CBTC) system.
Notably, the plans target Grade of Automation 4 (GoA4), the highest level of railway automation. Under this system, trains can operate fully automatically without onboard driving staff, subject to approved designs and safety procedures.
