France, as the leading foreign partner in the construction of this line, has reaffirmed its dedication to promoting green transport initiatives in Hanoi and across Vietnamese urban centers.
Iconic "green" transport system 
Reaffirming Vietnam's role as a strategic partner in France's efforts to combat climate change, French Ambassador to Vietnam Olivier Brochet highlighted the inauguration of the metro line—the second in Vietnam—as a testament to the close cooperation between the two countries in developing carbon-free infrastructure.
“This also demonstrates France's commitment to supporting Vietnam's transition to a carbon-free economy, particularly through the provision of high-standard technical solutions,” he stated at a press conference on September 11.

French Ambassador to Vietnam, H.E. Olivier Brochet speaks at a press conference at the French Embassy. Photo: Lien Ha

Numerous French partners, including the French Development Agency (AFD) and various institutions and enterprises, have actively contributed to the project, which received approximately 500 million euros from the French public budget. The ambassador noted that this initiative symbolizes Franco-Vietnamese cooperation, emphasizing the importance of ensuring the well-being of local residents and fostering mutual understanding between the authorities of both countries during the metro system's construction.
Paving the way for future cooperation
The project utilized cutting-edge technologies and expertise from leading French companies, including Alstom, Thales, and Colas Rail, which provided the locomotives, signaling systems, tracks, and electromechanical equipment for the stations. RATP Smart Systems contributed by supplying the ticketing system.
In terms of consultancy, Systra served as the general consultant for the Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board (MRB), while Bureau Veritas, APAVE, and Certifer were involved in safety system certification.
Nguyen Ba Son, Deputy Head of the MRB, commended the dedication and professionalism of the French companies that supported the project, successfully overcoming numerous challenges to complete key components. This collaboration not only enhances the current infrastructure but also paves the way for future partnerships in sustainable transport development.
"The French side has not only provided advanced technical solutions but has also shared valuable experience to help the project meet high standards of quality and safety," Son noted. The Hanoi Urban Railway Management Board (MRB) reported that residents have embraced the new transit system, providing overwhelmingly positive feedback.
In just the first 15 days of free operation, the line served nearly 750,000 passengers, including a record of over 100,000 on weekend days. Plans are in place to extend Metro Line 3 further underground beneath Tran Hung Dao Street, adding an additional 8 kilometers to Hoang Mai, with the next four stations expected to be operational by the end of 2027.
Ambassador Brochet also mentioned that the French Development Agency (AFD) and the European Union are considering financing the Metro Line 3.2 project, highlighting ongoing international support for the expansion of Hanoi's green transport network.
With a long history of public transport development dating back to the 1900s, France has established a robust tradition of building effective public transit systems. "Our system is densely developed and continually improved to meet the needs of each generation," the ambassador noted.
Building on this foundation, France is prepared to support Vietnamese cities in developing metro systems and other multi-modal public transport solutions. This includes a range of sustainable urban transportation options, such as bicycles and high-speed trains, which are increasingly important as Vietnam's transportation needs continue to grow.
Broader expectation
There is growing optimism for the completion of Urban Railway Line 3, particularly regarding its extension to S12 Station (Tran Hung Dao Station), which will connect with Line 2A at Cat Linh Station. Once completed, this connection will create a loop linking two major gateways to the west and southwest of the city.
Nguyen Van Thai, a passenger from Thanh Xuan District, shared his thoughts: "In the past few days, I’ve had to check the bus routes connecting to the Nhon-Cau Giay urban railway line to prepare for my commute. If the two lines were directly connected, it would be much more convenient." This highlights the desire for a seamless transit experience among commuters in Hanoi.
Many people are hopeful for the swift completion of additional urban railway lines, aiming to create a comprehensive train network throughout the city that can effectively meet transportation demands.
Hanoi Metro General Director Vu Hong Truong noted that each urban railway line currently operates at only about 30% of its capacity. "The more connections there are, the more passengers we can serve," he explained.

Nguyen Ba Son from the MRB emphasized that the operation of Metro Line 3 (upper section) will pave the way for further extensions and the completion of other lines currently under construction.

Looking ahead to 2030, Hanoi plans to focus on developing three major lines: Line 2 (which includes three sections: Nam Thang Long - Tran Hung Dao, Tran Hung Dao - Thuong Dinh, and Noi Bai - Nam Thang Long), Line 3 (covering Nhon - Hanoi Station and Hanoi Station - Yen So - Hoang Mai), and Line 5 (Van Cao - Ngoc Khanh - Lang - Hoa Lac). These projects are expected to extend the network by approximately 96 kilometers, significantly enhancing the city's public transport infrastructure.

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