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Officials press the launch button for the biometric and ID-based fare system on the Cat Linh–Ha Dong metro line.

This rollout marks the first time in Vietnam that a metro line integrates three advanced governance technologies simultaneously. The initiative is part of Plan 428, jointly implemented by the Ministry of Public Security, Ministry of Construction, and the Hanoi People’s Committee.

At the launch ceremony, Khuat Viet Hung, Chairman of the Members’ Council of Hanoi Metro, emphasized that the application of these technologies will improve operational management, boost safety and security, and offer a smarter, more convenient experience for passengers.

After over four months of preparation, Hanoi Metro has completed upgrading all 12 stations along Line 2A with multi-format readers. These devices now accept chip-based citizen ID cards (CCCD), NFC cards, QR codes, and EMV-compliant bank cards. AI-enabled cameras installed at fare gates verify passengers' identities through biometric matching with digital ID data.

The system has also been technically integrated with the RAR Center under the Ministry of Public Security, paving the way for future ticket purchases through VNeID and the national transportation hub.

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Delegates explore the biometric ticket gate system at Cat Linh Station.

Colonel Vu Trong Du, Head of Division 1 under the Police Department for Administrative Management of Social Order, stated that this new system offers several key advantages: passengers can travel quickly without documents or queues; operators gain more transparency, reduced loss, and improved service quality; and authorities can better manage traffic, enhance safety, and reduce congestion.

Colonel Du affirmed that biometric and digital identity platforms are becoming deeply integrated into public life, in line with Resolution 57 and Project 06.

More than just a ticketing system, the platform lays the foundation for a digital transportation ecosystem that tightly connects with VNeID.

Speaking at the event, Hanoi Vice Chairman Truong Viet Dung explained that with the open-loop EMV payment system, passengers can access the metro with a single tap using QR codes, bank cards, Apple Pay, or e-wallets. Priority groups can use their chip-based ID cards or VNeID integrated into the Hanoi Metro app. This eliminates long queues and the need for cash or small change.

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Vice Chairman of Hanoi People's Committee Truong Viet Dung speaks at the launch event.

Adopting global technology standards positions Hanoi as a pioneering smart city with internationally compatible transport infrastructure, enhancing its appeal for investment and tourism, and enabling integration across various transportation modes.

Vice Chairman Dung stressed that the success of this first phase goes far beyond a single tech project. For the first time in Vietnam, public transit is being operated through a unified model combining digital ID, biometrics, and open-loop payments. Passenger data, operations, and transactions are centralized on one platform. This also allows for targeted subsidies based on usage frequency and passenger behavior, replacing previous flat-rate subsidy models.

The Hanoi Metro app is now available on App Store and Google Play, supporting “tap-and-go” access and discounted fares for verified digital identities. After over two months of trial operation, the system has served over one million passengers and sold nearly 400,000 tickets, receiving overwhelmingly positive feedback, especially from younger users.

Starting December 16, 2025, Hanoi Metro will begin phase two: upgrading 30% of the fare gates on line 3.1. These gates will be operational from January 1, 2026. The AFC (automated fare collection) system will be unified for both line 2A and the Nhon–Hanoi Station line (line 3) by February 2026.

The upgraded system will allow real-time centralized data management on ridership and revenue, laying the groundwork for an integrated, city-wide fare system.

Vu Diep