Hanoi Greenlights $51 Billion Mega-Metro Project Across Five Lines

The Five Arteries of the New Grid

The massive undertaking unrolls across five distinct fronts:

• Line 1: Slices from Thuong Tin through Ngoc Hoi, Hanoi Central Station, and Yen Vien. It terminates at Noi Bai Airport.

• Line 2: Links Noi Bai directly to Tran Hung Dao, Thuong Dinh, and the city’s southern reaches.

• Line 8: Carves a massive corridor from Hoa Lac through Mai Dịch and Ring Road 3 to Duong Xa.

The final two arteries complete the perimeter. Line 10 connects Dong Anh, Vo Chi Cong, Ring Road 3, Ring Road 2.5, and Times City. Meanwhile, Line 14 stretches from Thang Long Bridge through Hong Ha all the way to Gia Lam.

Route map of the five urban railway lines that broke ground on June 22. Graphics: Tam Thao/VnExpress.

Forging a Unified Transit Matrix

Once the dust settles, these five lines will lock the capital’s expansion zones into a unified grid. The system will seamlessly integrate Noi Bai Airport, Hanoi Central Station, and the Ngoc Hoi station complex. It also sweeps through Hoa Lac, Thu Lam, Co Loa, and Ocean Park.

Furthermore, this newly forged network will splice into the existing Lines 3 and 5. This connection triggers a fully synchronized public transit matrix.

Hanoi Mayor Vu Dai Thang declared this the largest urban railway investment program in the city’s history. It marks a monumental shift. The city is moving away from isolated, fragmented tracks to forge a massive, city-wide network.

From right: Prime Minister Le Minh Hung, Hanoi Mayor Vu Dai Thang, and Vingroup Chairman Pham Nhat Vuong attend the groundbreaking ceremony on the morning of June 22. Photo: Hanoi People’s Committee/VnExpress.

The Blueprint for Urban Transformation

Mayor Thang envisions this network as the structural backbone for Hanoi’s multi-center master blueprint. These metro lines will break the chokehold of urban traffic congestion. Additionally, they will orchestrate Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) around major hubs. This strategy unlocks high-value land resources and cements vital regional connectivity.

The city selected the consortium of Vinhomes and VinSpeed as the sole EPC general contractor. They will handle the design, equipment procurement, and construction for all five projects. Hanoi aims to fundamentally wrap up construction on these lines by 2030.

Architectural rendering of Giap Bat Station. Source: Hanoi People’s Committee/VnExpress.

A 100-Year Vision Into the Future

Under the Capital Master Plan, which casts a 100-year shadow into the future, Hanoi’s urban railway network will reach a staggering 608 miles. When factored alongside national and inter-regional rail lines, the entire systemic grid will approach nearly 745 miles.

Currently, Hanoi operates only two routes. Residents use the Cat Linh – Ha Dong line and the elevated segment of the Nhon – Hanoi Station line.

The city’s timeline moves forward in two aggressive phases. Hanoi plans to deploy approximately 310 miles of urban rail by 2035. After that, workers will complete the remaining 298 miles in a final push between 2036 and 2045.