The 8.5-km elevated section of the Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line (Line 3) officially inaugurated on November 9, after three months of commercial operation.

The line runs 12.5 km from Nhon in Hanoi's Nam Tu Liem district via Kim Ma Street to Hanoi Railway Station in Dong Da district.

Construction began in 2010 at an estimated cost of over VND34.8 trillion (nearly $1.37 billion).

The line passes through eight elevated and four underground stations. The construction works of the underground section started last July.

The inauguration marks an important step in a project heralded as a prominent example of international cooperation in sustainable urban transport, involving Vietnam, France and global financiers — the French Development Agency (AFD), the European Investment Bank (EIB), and the Asian Development Bank (ADB), while also supporting Vietnam’s green transition in line with the Just Energy Transition Partnership (JETP) by promoting low-carbon, public transportation options to reduce urban emissions, according to the AFD.

The inauguration of the elevated section of Hanoi Metro Line 3 – the second line to become operational in Vietnam – demonstrates the capability of Vietnamese and international teams to successfully undertake complex and ambitious urban transport projects. It also reflects the commitment of partner countries and international financial institutions to support Vietnam in combating climate change by providing the country with technical solutions that meet the highest international standards. Upon its completion, the Metro Line 3 is expected to contribute to reduce 33,150 tons of CO2 equivalent per annum, the AFD said in its press release issued on November 9.

H.E. Olivier Brochet, Ambassador of France to Vietnam, told the press that one of key issues in bilateral relations between Vietnam and France is developing transport sustainably.

“The opening of this section of Hanoi Metro Line 3, the second line in the country to become operational, demonstrates the ability of Franco-Vietnamese teams to successfully undertake ambitious infrastructure projects in the rail transport sector. It also underscores our country’s commitment to supporting Vietnam in its transition to a low-carbon economy, notably by providing the country with technologies that meet the highest international standards,” he said.

Once fully operational, Line 3 is expected to serve up to 90 million passengers annually, helping to boost public transport usage in Hanoi from 15% to 40% and bringing Vietnam closer to its net-zero emissions goal by 2050.