The public bicycle-sharing trial will start before next month in Hanoi's six downtown districts of Hoan Kiem, Dong Da, Thanh Xuan, Hai Ba Trung, Ba Dinh, and Tay Ho over a period of 12 months, a new initiative marking the 15th anniversary of Hanoi's administrative boundary expansion in 2008. 

During the trial period, the Tri Nam Group, the project's investor, will be allowed to use the sidewalks free of charge to install bike racks. 

The service has received positive feedback from users when it was piloted in Ho Chi Minh City, Quy Nhon City in the central province of Binh Dinh, Vung Tau City in the southern province of Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and the northern province of Hai Duong.

Bicycle-sharing services are provided at some public places and tourist attractions in Hanoi. Photos: Huy Pham/The Hanoi Times

The target customers of the project are public transport passengers, students, and tourists.

The bikes are technically inspected before being put into service.

TNGo app rental service is available for free download on Google Play.

Riders can use the TNGo app to scan the QR code to unlock the bike.

Users can also search for bike dock locations, book service, and make payments through the app.

The rental fee is VND5,000 (US$20 cents) per 30 minutes for a regular bicycle and US$40 cents for an electric bike.

The bike's ID card will monitor the vehicle's path, while its smart locks will send an alarm signal if forced open.

This means of public transport helps connect rail stations, and bus stops to homes and between apartment buildings.

The service will be available to other districts of Hanoi by 2024.

Bicycle rental supports the development of the city's public transport network.