The new elevated section of Metro Line 3 in Hanoi, the capital of Vietnam, has entered revenue service.

The official opening will take in September, and until then the new line, which is operated by Hanoi Metro Company (HMC), is open for free public trial.

This is the first stage of the project, covering 8.5 kilometres with eight stations on the elevated section. The full line will run along 12.5 kilometres with eight stations.

The Line 3 project hopes to enhance access for 1.6 million residents across six districts of Hanoi city. When it runs at full capacity, the new integrated metro system will be able to carry more than 23,900 passengers per hour in each direction.

The Metropolis trains for Hanoi Metro Line 3 have four cars, with wide doors to facilitate passenger flow. They include dedicated space for passengers with reduced mobility, and ergonomic and easy-to-grab bars.

The trains have lightweight aluminium car bodies, which cuts energy consumption. The trains’ colour schemes, both inside and outside, include motifs such as dragon fruit and rice paddy field designs, taking local Vietnamese inspiration. Alstom hopes that this will enhance both their cultural relevance and aesthetic appeal.

The Hanoi metro is an Alstom project designed and manufactured in France for international markets. The French government has helped to facilitate the project, with the involvement of the Ministry of Economy and Finance and Directorate General of the Treasury, the French Development Agency, the European Investment Bank and the Asian Development Bank.

Alstom believes that its Hanoi Metro work showcases French industrial expertise. Work on the project involves six Alstom sites in France:

• Valenciennes for the design and manufacture of the metros
• Ornans for the engines
• Le Creusot for the bogies
• Tarbes for the electrical cabinets and traction systems
• Saint-Ouen for the Urbalis 400 signalling system

• Villeurbanne for the onboard computerised systems, passenger information and signalling equipment.

Alstom has been operating in Vietman for nearly thirty years, and has contributed to its railway modernisation.

This has included providing signalling and telecommunication system modernisation services for the Hanoi-Vinh regional line phase one and phase two, and signalling and telecommunication systems for Ninh Binh station.

“At Alstom, we’re committed to transforming mobility in Vietnam with smarter, greener, and more efficient solutions for everyday commuters. Our expertise in turnkey projects has been crucial in successfully delivering this complex metro project, featuring eight elevated and four underground stations. The start of Hanoi Line 3 operations showcases our dedication to meticulous planning and engineering, ensuring that passengers in the nation’s capital enjoy safe, efficient, and comfortable journeys every day. I’m proud to see our emblematic Metropolis™ thriving in the vibrant and iconic city of Hanoi, a hub of economic and cultural richness. We thank H.E. Olivier Brochet, French Ambassador to Vietnam, the French and Vietnamese authorities, and all those who have made this project possible.”

Toby Tiberghien, Managing Director, East Asia, Alstom