Cat Linh-Ha Dong trains passed safety and environmental assessment

The Vietnam Register Authority under the Ministry of Transport announced it has completed the assessment and issued technical safety and environmental protection certification for 13 trains and other related components of the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway, Hanoi’s long-delayed first metro project.
A section of Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban metro project crosses through Hoang Cau area, Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

A section of Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban metro project crosses through Hoang Cau area, Hanoi. (Photo: VNA)

The Vietnam Register Authority under the Ministry of Transport announced it has completed the assessment and issued technical safety and environmental protection certification for 13 trains and other related components of the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban railway, Hanoi’s long-delayed first metro project.

The announcement came four days after the project started whole-system test runs on December 12 lasting through the end of 2020, eyeing commercial operations by March 2021.

The inspected items include an actual composition of each of the train’s equipment and components (in both idle and moving state) and checking them against the approved planning and national standards on imported rail components.

The vehicles passing the technical standards verification will be certified to be operated.

After the independent French consulting firm Apave-Certifier-Tricc consortium finished their assessment, the Vietnam Register would have a final verification and issue certification proving the safety of the whole system before the metro project can commence official operations.

Once given the green light, the project will be handed over to the Hanoi authorities to manage.

Safety assessment includes reliability, readiness, serviceability and safety of vehicle system, train control signaling, plans to evacuate passengers in cases of emergency (on the elevated rail lines and in the stations), smoke and heat management systems and ventilation inside tunnels, electricity compatibility, system integration, test operations, and safety controls.

During the 20-day trial, every day there will be a total of 287 train journeys, running from 5am to 11pm, with the frequency of one trip every 5-6 minutes during rush hours, just like the commercial operations.

According to the design, the Cat Linh-Ha Dong urban metro project has a mainline of more than 13km elevated rail line, 12 stations and 13 trains.

Each train has four cars, capable of carrying more than 900 people, with the design speed of 80km/h but the commercial run’s speed would be capped at an average of 35km/h.

Previously, at the Standing meeting of the Government on the implementation of the Hanoi urban railway projects, Minister of Transport Nguyen Van The pledged the project would enter commercial operations in the first quarter of 2021, four years after the original finishing date.

The project, which commenced in October 2011, with an investment capital of about 18 trillion VND from China’s official development assistance to Vietnam, has suffered numerous setbacks and delays.

Most recently, hundreds of Chinese technicians and experts have been unable to leave China or enter Vietnam to work on the project due to border closure policies in place in the previous months.

The Hanoi People’s Committee has announced the price of the tickets for the Cat Linh-Ha Dong metro, with the lowest one being 8,000 VND for a trip and 30,000 VND for a day pass.

A month pass for the common passenger is priced 200,000 VND.

VNA

Other News

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

Vietnam moves to adapt to rapid population ageing, expand silver economy

The International Day of Older Persons 2026, themed “The Age of Longevity: Rethinking Systems for Longer Lives,” highlights the need to develop healthcare, social security, labour-market and social-service systems in response to increasing life expectancy. For Vietnam, rapid population ageing is not only a demographic issue but also a development challenge.

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Vietnamese, Lao localities bolster Front cooperation

Both sides agreed to keep educating officials, Party members, youth union groups and the broader public, especially young people in both provinces, on the great friendship, special solidarity, comprehensive cooperation and strategic cohesion between Vietnam and Laos.

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

Urgent rescue launched for Merchant Mariner off Quang Ngai

The captain discovered water entering ballast tanks No. 4, 5 and 6 on the port side, causing the vessel to list slightly. Initial assessments indicated that the vessel may have struck an underwater rock formation while underway.

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright caught in crossfire of piracy, AI

Publishing copyright is entering an entirely new phase. As AI becomes increasingly capable of generating text, summarising books, mimicking writing styles and producing content at enormous speed, ensuring copyright protection is becoming more difficult.

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Heavy rains cause widespread damage in Phu Tho, Thanh Hoa

Prolonged heavy rains from September 13–17 have caused flooding and landslides, damaging homes, crops, roads and infrastructure in Phu Tho and Thanh Hoa provinces, with local authorities mobilising forces for emergency response.

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh police bust 38.4 million USD transnational cybercrime ring

Quang Ninh city's Public Security Department warned individuals, agencies and businesses not to publicly disclose or provide personal information or bank account details on social media, and urged organisations and businesses to strictly comply with regulations on protecting customers’ personal data.

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

Search area expanded to recover more martyrs' remains in Quang Tri

The continued recovery of martyrs’ remains provides valuable information and further evidence of those who fought and sacrificed their lives for national independence and freedom. It also encourages search teams to persist in locating fallen soldiers still lying on former battlefields, contributing to the effective implementation of the 500-day campaign and reflecting Vietnam’s long-standing tradition of gratitude.

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam to screen students nationwide for five health risks from 2028

Vietnam will launch nationwide screening for five groups of school-related diseases and health conditions among students from preschool through high school from 2028, including overweight and obesity, refractive errors, spinal curvature, oral diseases and mental health disorders.