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Hanoi Metro Railway Management Board (MRB) has confirmed that the elevated section of the Nhon - Hanoi Station metro line will open to the public at 8 AM on August 8th. This is the second metro line in the capital after the Cat Linh - Ha Dong line. Following the first’s success, the new line will become a new rapid transit line in the capital.
Train on the Nhon - Hanoi Station route before the opening day. Source: VnExpress
The train will operate for free for the first two weeks as a trial run. Early in the morning, many residents were already at the stations to experience. For many, it's a much more convenient option than spending hours stuck in traffic. Join Asia King Travel to explore the new metro line and see people's impressions in the article below.
Hanoi is the most densely populated city in Northern Vietnam. Many companies and universities are set in the capital, attracting people from other provinces for work and study. The high population density and narrow streets have led to frequent traffic congestion in Hanoi. This situation needs to be addressed promptly to avoid significant economic losses.
Traffic jams at Mai Dich, a section where the metro line will pass. Source: Laodong
Since 2009, the construction of the urban railway system began to alleviate the situation. Expected by 2050, a 14 railway lines network will be completed. In 2021, the first line Cat Linh - Ha Dong was completed and put into operation. Within a short time, it has achieved positive results. The train's speed and affordability have led many people to make a shift in their transportation habits.
Nhon - Hanoi Station line introduces a new dimension to the city's metro system with a combination of elevated and underground tracks. Currently, only the 8-kilometer elevated section of 13 kilometers in total is in operation. People will try the feeling on high and then go underground in 2027.
Subway stations are being constructed 19 meters underground. Source: Ta Hai
Like many other lines, the stations on this line connect the suburbs to the downtown. The elevated section runs through 8 stations, from Nhon Station (North Tu Liem District) to Cau Giay Station (Ba Dinh District). The underground section will run from Kim Ma Station (Ba Dinh District) to Hanoi Station (Hoan Kiem District). For the first 3 months, trains will operate from 5:30 AM to 10 PM, departing every 10 minutes.
To encourage citizens to experience the new metro line, all passengers will enjoy free rides for the first 15 days of commercial operation. This period will also test the system's reliability under real-world conditions. As part of the testing phase, unexpected scenarios will be simulated during drills. This helps citizens know how to handle situations when a bad case happens.
Automated ticketing system test. Source: Dantri
After a two-week free trial, Hanoi Metro will begin charging fares. A single journey between stations will cost VND 8,000 while the entire trip from Nhon to Cau Giay is estimated at VND 12,000. A day pass offering unlimited rides will be available for VND 24,000.
In addition to single-trip tickets, monthly passes are VND 200,000 per month. Students can benefit from a discounted rate of VND 100,000. For group purchases outside of the privileged categories priced at VND 140,000. Children under 6, war veterans, the elderly over 60, and people with disabilities have no charge.
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The first impression of the train for tourists is the ticket. Designed as a small black token featuring Temple of Literature’s Khue Van Cac - an iconic symbol of Hanoi. The ticket at first glance resembles a coin or an Oreo cookie. Unlike paper tickets or swipe cards used on buses, this minimalist design, free from numbers or letters, subtly conveys the message: “This is Hanoi.”
Hanoi symbol decorated on a token ticket. Source: Pham Trang
Despite the scheduled 8 AM departure time, passengers began lining up at Cau Giay Station (Nhon-bound) as early as 7 AM on August 8th. By nearly departure time, both sides of the platform were packed with excited commuters. The first pink and blue train arrived and its four carriages with a capacity of over 900 passengers were full within 2 minutes.
Following several construction delays, the public was thrilled to ride the new metro line at last. Commuters and students along the route took advantage of the opportunity to test out this new transportation option for their daily journeys. Passengers were impressed by the train's speed and smooth ride. The automated ticketing and fare collection system was also praised for its convenience.
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Expats also experienced the Hanoi Metro. Source: Tuoitre
In an update on the first day of commercial operations, MRB reported an estimated 35,000 passenger trips. Nhon - Hanoi Station metro line averaged over 1,800 passengers per hour, significantly higher than the daily average of 27,000 passengers on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong line.
Mr. Vu Hong Truong, General Director of MRB has indicated that, once the Nhon - Ha Noi Station railway is operating at full capacity, there will be a substantial decrease in the number of private vehicles on National Highway 32. This road is a traffic hotspot, even outside of rush hour. People may have to spend nearly one hour just traveling from North Tu Liem District to Cau Giay District.
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Hanoi Metro is a quick, clean, and inexpensive public transport. Source: Danviet
Taking the example of the first metro line, since the Cat Linh - Ha Dong line began operations in 2021, traffic police have reported a continuous decrease in congestion on the route. Travel time by metro is only one-third of the time it takes to travel by private vehicle.
Test runs on the 8-kilometer Nhon - Cau Giay section revealed that the train could complete the journey in just 15 minutes. Achieving such a travel time on National Highway 32 during peak hours for the same distance on the road is simply impossible.
Nhon - Hanoi Station line and the overall Hanoi metro system will be a solution to the city's peak-hour traffic jams. In addition, foreign tourists will have a new, convenient, and somehow familiar option to explore the capital. Would you like to try the metro in Vietnam? Contact Asia King Travel to plan your trip with us today!
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