Experience Hanoi's first elevated train ride.

Ten years of waiting for a railway line.

After days of waiting, on the morning of November 6th, the Cat Linh - Ha Dong urban railway trains officially commenced operation. This marks the moment when Vietnam's first urban railway (metro) line began operation after 10 years of construction.

This railway line is one of eight radial and ring urban railway lines connecting the central urban area of ​​Hanoi with surrounding urban areas. Designed as a double-track line, it operates on a 13 km route with a travel time of approximately 23 minutes. To reach the 12 stations, passengers can use 55 bus routes connecting horizontally and vertically with the metro line. In addition, each station has motorbike parking for passengers' convenience.

Station staff will guide passengers to purchase tickets at the automated ticket vending machines. Passengers will insert cash into the slot and select their destination station. The machine will then dispense a ticket via a plastic card and any change (if applicable). Initially, passengers can only pay for tickets with cash as the project's automated ticketing system does not yet support bank card payments.

The fare per trip ranges from approximately 7,000 to 15,000 VND depending on the distance traveled. A day pass costs 30,000 VND with unlimited rides, while monthly passes cost 100,000, 140,000, or 200,000 VND per month depending on the passenger group. Those who are exempt from fares on the Cat Linh - Ha Dong railway line, such as the elderly, children under 6 years old, and people with disabilities, also travel for free.

People are excited to experience the Cat Linh - Ha Dong train ride.

Because it opened on a weekend, the train attracted a large number of people in Hanoi on its first day, from young children to teenagers and even the elderly. Many people lined up early and left positive feedback about their experience.

Most passengers enjoyed the experience, noting that the train ran smoothly with minimal vibration, was clean, had good facilities, and was cool and airy. Information about train schedules and destinations was clearly displayed both at the station and on board. In addition, passengers could enjoy panoramic views of Hanoi's streets from above and take photos while enjoying the atmosphere on the train.

Mr. Tran Ngoc Quynh, one of the first people to experience the Cat Linh - Ha Dong railway line, said he had been queuing since 7 a.m. and was "very excited because after waiting quite a long time, I finally got to see the train line in operation." He shared that he had ridden many trains in Europe and felt that the trains in Hanoi ran very smoothly, not too different from those abroad, and that the waiting areas, lobbies, and elevators were arranged logically and conveniently for passengers.

Mr. Ngo Quang Minh, a long-time traveler and the first passenger on the train, couldn't hide his delight and satisfaction: "The station is spacious, the train is clean, the tickets are nice, no less impressive than in the West." According to him, this is a "must-try" experience, a new "pleasure" for Hanoians: taking an early train, admiring the capital from above, and ending the journey with a cup of coffee by the roadside... "It was my first time seeing Hanoi from above, so I felt emotional," he added.

For young people, most were satisfied and paid special attention to the check-in locations and convenient services on the train. Sharing her experience, Phung Thi Huong Giang said that the staff were very enthusiastic and attentive: "When you arrive, you will be enthusiastically guided by the staff from sanitizing, filling out health declarations to getting train tickets, boarding, disembarking, and going to the station." In addition, the cheerful and lively atmosphere on the train on the first day was also something Giang found enjoyable.

Many people who participated in the experience gave positive feedback about this novel experience. Some also noted that the train would brake suddenly when entering a station; this wasn't a concern for adults, but young children on the train needed to be a little more careful.

In addition, many people expressed concern on the first day of the metro line's opening. The problem wasn't with the service or the train's facilities, but rather with the increasingly crowded trains and the difficulty in ensuring compliance with disease prevention regulations. Initially, the first few journeys were quite spacious and comfortable; however, as more people came to experience the service, overcrowding began to appear – even as Hanoi was still experiencing community-acquired Covid-19 cases.

The positive response from passengers on the first day of operation partly signals optimism in the development of the Cat Linh - Ha Dong urban railway line, making this model likely to become more popular in the future. People themselves also feel more secure choosing to use this public service for their journeys instead of private vehicles.

According to Hanoi Metro's leadership, for the first six months, trains will start at 5:30 AM and end at 10:00 PM; after that, trains will operate until 10:30 PM daily. Currently, the Cat Linh - Ha Dong trains are still running.free ticketsDuring the first 15 days of operation, from November 6th to November 21st.

Khanh Ha