CaliToday (05/9/2025): The Hanoi People's Committee has officially finalized the investment and development plan for the highly anticipated Metro Line 5, a critical infrastructure project that will connect the downtown district of Van Cao with the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park in the capital's western suburbs.
This landmark decision solidifies the route and technical specifications for a project that is considered essential for the city's future. The line is expected to play a crucial role in alleviating chronic traffic congestion and unlocking the socio-economic potential of Hanoi's rapidly expanding western gateway.
Project Details and Scope
Spanning a total length of approximately 38.4 kilometers, the Van Cao - Hoa Lac line will be a "hybrid" line, incorporating both underground and elevated sections. The finalized plan includes a total of 21 stations:
6 Underground Stations: Located within the dense, central urban districts to minimize surface-level disruption.
15 Elevated Stations: Running along the corridor towards the western part of the city.
The project represents a massive investment in the city's infrastructure, with an estimated total cost of over 65 trillion VND (approximately $2.5 billion USD). The line will serve as a high-capacity public transit backbone, designed to reduce reliance on private vehicles and ease pressure on the Thang Long Avenue expressway, one of the main arteries leading into the city.
A Strategic Corridor for Development
Metro Line 5 is more than just a transportation project; it is a strategic initiative to reshape Hanoi's urban landscape. The route is meticulously planned to connect the political and cultural heart of the city with major residential areas, universities, and, most importantly, the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park—Vietnam's largest center for technology, research, and development.
By creating a reliable, high-speed connection to this vital economic hub, the city aims to:
Solve Traffic Congestion: Provide a fast and efficient alternative for the thousands of commuters who travel between the city center and the western areas daily.
Boost Economic Growth: Make the Hoa Lac High-Tech Park and surrounding areas more attractive to skilled workers, researchers, and international investors.
Promote Sustainable Urbanization: Encourage the development of transit-oriented urban areas and satellite cities, reducing urban sprawl and environmental pollution.
A representative from the Hanoi Department of Transport stated, "The finalization of the Metro Line 5 plan is a pivotal moment for Hanoi's infrastructure development. This line will not only address a critical transportation bottleneck but will also act as a catalyst for growth, creating a modern development axis for the entire western region of the capital."
With the plan now approved, municipal authorities will proceed with the next steps, including detailed technical design, contractor bidding, and site clearance. The project is a key component of Hanoi's broader master plan to establish a comprehensive network of urban railway lines, fundamentally transforming public transportation in Vietnam's capital city for decades to come.
