Hanoi's planned five-line metro expansion has brought French manufacturer Alstom an initial €800 million ($900 million) train order from Vingroup under a broader 200-train agreement, VnExpress reported.
Alstom said the order covers Metropolis trains to be manufactured in Valenciennes, France. The companies have not disclosed how many trains are in this first batch. The value of the full agreement was not announced when it was signed.
The companies signed that agreement Oct. 6. Of its 200 trains, 83 are to be made in France, while Vingroup is to assemble 117 in Vietnam, according to VnExpress. The production split applies to the full agreement, rather than a stated number of trains in the initial order.
Each train is planned to have five aluminum-alloy cars. VnExpress reported that the design is intended to reduce axle loads, energy use and wear on tracks. The trains are also specified for GoA4 automation, which permits operation without a driver aboard.
Vingroup is constructing the new routes through its subsidiary Vinhomes. The five lines are planned to cover 303.5 kilometers, adding to Hanoi's existing two-line metro network, VnExpress reported.
The routes are intended to connect central Hanoi with Noi Bai International Airport and Hoa Lac, a technology hub to the west. They are also planned to extend service into northern and southern areas of the city and improve links with its outskirts.
Alstom has worked in Vietnam for more than three decades, including on railway signaling projects. It previously supplied 10 trains for Hanoi Metro Line 3, linking Nhon with Hanoi Railway Station, according to VnExpress.
Construction of the five new lines began in June, with completion expected in 2030, VnExpress reported.
