Hanoi and HCM City, the two largest urban areas in the country, act as cultural, science and national defence centers as well as ‘economic locomotives’.

Public transport plays an increasingly important role in the development of the country, especially the two cities. Urban railways are considered the ‘backbone’ of the transport network.

“The early investment and effective operation of the urban transport network will help increase public transport, reduce private transport, thus bringing positive effects in socio-economic development, reducing pollution, traffic jams and traffic accidents,” said Hanoi Mayor Tran Sy Thanh.

He said that both Hanoi and HCM City have been arranging resources over many years to develop urban railways. However, railway development has been facing challenges which need to be overcome with reasonable policies.

The two cities need to learn about new methods to develop urban railway networks in accordance with the Politburo’s Conclusion No 49 on the orientation for railway transportation development to 2030, with a vision towards 2045. 

The document says urban railway networks in Hanoi and HCM City must be completed within 12 years.

HCM City Vice Mayor Bui Xuan Cuong commented that the goal poses a challenge, and if the development method applied for the last 20 years continues to be used, the plan will fail.

Therefore, Hanoi and HCM City are going to ask for specific mechanisms with accompanying policies to develop urban railway networks in the localities and develop socio-economic centers.

A workshop discussing urban railways in Hanoi and HCM City was held on January 17 with 400 participants, including leading Vietnamese and international transport experts.

According to a member of National Assembly’s Committee of Legal Affairs, Nguyen Phuong Thuy, for public and mass transport, urban railways have the greatest advantages. Urban railways also help shape and redistribute population, creating a new outlook for cities, providing convenience to residents and attracting investment.

Hanoi is planning to develop 10 urban railway routes, including nine major routes and one route that connects satellite urban areas, with total length of 417.8 kilometers, including 75.6 kilometers of underground railways.

Only 13 kilometers of railways belonging to Route 2A from Cat Linh to Ha Dong have been completed. The 12.5 kilometer railway section from Nhon to Hanoi Station is under execution.

Quang Phong