Vietnam’s first metro begins in Hanoi
New Phnom Penh International Airport is now 26 percent complete, govt to pour Rp 4.3T into Jakarta-Bandung railway project, and more construction and transport news in Southeast Asia.
[Cat Linh Station - Hanoi]
After just over ten years since construction began, Hanoi has launched its first metro line. The Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro line (which is inexplicably named Line 2A) is the first metro line in Vietnam, opening on the 6th of November with free travel for the first two weeks.
After so many frustrating delays, it’s been good to see a metro system in operation. I enjoyed watching this video of the metro sailing above Hanoi traffic, and there are more videos on TikTok at #catlinhhadong.
This week’s article is an update on an older article that precedes this newsletter, so new readers may not be familiar with it. I have compared the construction times and costs of first metro systems in Asia.
Like most articles on this site, I put this list together as part of my curiosity. I have been following the metro construction while being based in Vietnam, and I was wondering how slow the construction really is. To answer this, I put together this table.
Unfortunately for Hanoi, Line 2A now sits at the bottom of the table for the slowest construction time, though at least it’s not the most expensive. To be fair, they had some bad luck with Covid happening when they were ready to open, and they were on the cusp of opening before Covid until they were delayed by an incompatible safety certification.
I have compared construction times of first metro lines, as the theory is that once a city has some experience in building a metro line, they can learn from previous issues to avoid future delays.
I compiled a construction report for the Hanoi metro in 2020, and I will go back to Hanoi for another report and include a metro review.
And if you are interested in transit construction costs there is another site that has since started at transitcosts.com.
Latest Posts At Future Southeast Asia
Comparison of cost and construction times of first metro lines in Asia (Updated)
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🇮🇩 Indonesia
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🇻🇳 Vietnam
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🇰🇭 Cambodia
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🇱🇦 Laos
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🇲🇾 Malaysia
Chinese-backed development risks damaging fisheries in Malaysia
🇵🇭 Philippines
Isko vows more of 'Build, Build, Build'
“Presidential aspirant and Manila Mayor Isko Moreno on Saturday said he will continue the "Build, Build, Build" infrastructure program of the current administration but will make it faster and cover more areas, if he wins in Eleksyon 2022.”
Philippines: Commuter corridor leads rail revival
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🇸🇬 Singapore
Construction works for Aviation Park station set to begin in Q1 2022
🇹🇭 Thailand
Thailand, Laos agree to push infrastructure development
Chao Phraya overflows during high tide





🇻🇳 Vietnam
Work begins on last section of tracks for HCMC's 1st metro
Ho Chi Minh City residents struggle amid record-high tide
Việt Nam needs some $17.65b to upgrade airports by 2030
Vietnam’s highest viaduct to be completed before Dec 31
Danish firm intends to develop $13.6bn wind farm off northern Vietnam