City authorities in Hanoi endorse the layout for a 40km stretch of Metro Line 5

In a significant development for urban transportation in Vietnam, Metropolitan Line No. 5 is poised to transform the commute in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The line, stretching over nearly 40km from Van Cao to Hoa Lac, will include 20 stations and two major depots, Depot No.1 and Depot No.2. Depot No.1, covering 32 hectares, is strategically located across Son Dong and Duong Hoa communes, serving Line No.5 and the planned Line No.8. Depot No.2, occupying 10.4 ha in the Hoa Lac urban area, will serve as the line's maintenance hub once operations commence.

The Hanoi People's Committee has assigned the Department of Planning and Architecture to verify the approved route drawings, while the planning and boundary marking on the ground will be overseen by the Hanoi Metropolitan Railway Management Board. The Hanoi Urban Planning Institute conducted the planning for the metro line.

The authority responsible for overseeing the approved route and facility sites of Hanoi Metro Line No. 5 is the People's Committee of Hanoi, specifically following the decision signed by the Deputy Chairman Duong Duc Tuan, with planning evaluated by the Hanoi Institute of Urban Planning and the Department of Planning and Architecture.

The growing popularity of metro as a transportation option in the capital is reflected by record-breaking ridership. During the two-week-long period celebrating the 80th anniversary of the August Revolution and National Day, the two operating lines provided service to nearly 1.8 million passengers. Fare-free rides implemented from August 30 to September 2 served nearly 690,000 passengers, helping to reduce pressure on road traffic infrastructure.

Metro Line No. 5 will form part of a synchronised, high-capacity urban transit network with direct connections to several other metro routes. Stations on Metro Line No.5 are expected to serve as anchors for new service hubs, commercial centres, residential projects, and supporting infrastructure. Once operational, the line is anticipated to play a pivotal role in easing congestion and stimulating socioeconomic growth.

The line is expected to relieve pressure on existing roadways, particularly Thang Long Avenue. Vietnam is seeking to develop an integrated and seamless transportation model to realise its ambitious plan for green city development. By reducing reliance on private vehicles, Metro Line No. 5 will contribute significantly to Vietnam's goal of a sustainable urban environment.

The apartment segment surrounding metro lines in Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi has seen a sharp increase in prices, a testament to the line's potential impact on property values and urban development. District-level People's Committees along the route will be responsible for land management, boundary protection, and coordination in site clearance.

In conclusion, Metropolitan Line No. 5 promises to revolutionize transportation in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, offering a sustainable, efficient, and economically viable solution to urban congestion. As the line nears completion, Vietnamese citizens can look forward to a more connected, greener, and less traffic-congested future.