The State Appraisal Council has approved the plan for Hanoi's fifth metro line, connecting Van Cao Street and Hoa Lac High-Tech Park, with a total investment of over VND65 trillion (US$2.8 billion), according to the city's People's Committee.

As one of eight metro lines Hanoi plans to build by 2030 to improve the city's public transportation system and ease traffic congestion, the fifth line will facilitate fast and convenient mobility between suburban and urban areas.

A rendered image of Hanoi's fifth metro line project. Photo: The Hanoi People’s Committee

With a total length of 38.43 kilometers, the line will run 6.5 kilometers underground and 2 kilometers on elevated tracks. The fifth metro line will pass through seven districts. After running underground through Van Cao, Lieu Giai and Nguyen Chi Thanh streets, it will surface at Thang Long Boulevard. The elevated section will be built above Le Quang Dao Street.

Of the total 21 stations, six will be underground and 15 will be above ground, with a rolling stock of 25 to 40 trains of four to six carriages each, running at a speed of 120 kilometers per hour on the elevated section and 90 kilometers per hour underground.

The metro project will have two depots, one in Hoai Duc District, with an area of about 18 hectares, and the other in Thach That District, with an area of about 6.9 hectares.

Of the estimated cost of more than VND65 trillion (US$2.8 billion), VND24.8 trillion (US$1 billion) will be spent on construction and VND16.6 trillion (US$713 million) on equipment.

In terms of funding sources, VND15 trillion (US$646 million) will come from the city's budget, about VND18 trillion (US$773 million) will come from proceeds of capital divestment from state-owned enterprises, VND10 trillion (US$430 million) from government bonds, and the rest from loans.

The line is expected to operate 26 trains in 2025, 37 trains in 2035, and 38 trains in 2050 to connect the western part of the city with the central area.

Hanoi's first metro project, Cat Linh-Ha Dong, has been in commercial operation since November last year. Trial operation of the second metro line, Nhon-Hanoi Railway Station, is scheduled for the end of 2023, and the metro line could be operational by the end of 2027. The second line is expected to help reduce Hanoi's vehicle emissions by 20,000 tons annually.