Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro route in Hanoi (Photo by Manh Quan)
Vice Chairman of the Hanoi People’s Committee Duong Duc Tuan announced that Metro Line 2 (Nam Thang Long–Tran Hung Dao) is scheduled to break ground on October 10, while Metro Line 5 (Van Cao–Hoa Lac) will follow on December 19.
Metro Line 2 will run 11.5 kilometres, including 8.9 km underground and 2.6 km elevated, with seven underground stations and three elevated ones. The project’s total investment has risen to nearly VND 35.6 trillion (USD 1.42 billion), up VND 16 trillion from its initial estimate in 2008.
Metro Line 5 will span 38 kilometres, connecting Van Cao and Hoa Lac via Ngoc Khanh, Thang Long Boulevard, and Belt Road 4. It will include over 6 km underground, 2 km elevated, and 30 km at grade, with 21 stations. The line’s estimated investment exceeds VND 61.9 trillion.
Hanoi currently operates two metro lines: Line 2A (Cat Linh–Ha Dong) and the Nhon–Cau Giay section of the Nhon–Hanoi Station route.
Under its capital planning strategy for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050, the city aims to develop 14 more metro lines.
In parallel with the metro expansion, Hanoi also plans to accelerate the construction of six major Red River bridges: Hong Ha, Me So, Thuong Cat, Ngoc Hoi, Tran Hung Dao, and Van Phuc.
