The Da Nang Metro is a proposed rail transit system for the city of Da Nang in Central Vietnam. There have been various proposals over the years that include underground and elevated metro rail, trams, light rail, and BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) systems. The network would also extend to Hoi An to the south in neighbouring Quang Nam Province.
There isn’t a name for this system, so this article is called Da Nang Metro rather than the Da Nang/Quang Man Transit System.
Da Nang is the third-largest city in Vietnam by population, and its geographical location halfway between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City makes it an ideal business hub in Vietnam. It’s also a popular tourism centre, with Hoi An being one of the most visited destinations in Vietnam, and Da Nang is emerging as a destination in its own right. There has been a boom in new hotels in Da Nang, and pre-pandemic the Da Nang and Seoul city pair was the fastest-growing major passenger route in Asia-Pacific.
Plans for a metro system were mentioned in 2012, with a proposed pre-feasibility study in 2013. A feasibility study for a tramway project was announced in 2014, and by 2017 the city was calling for investors for a transit network.
In 2019 South Korea’s Seoul Metro Corporation proposed a network with 2 metro and 8 tramway lines. Covid put a dampener on planning in 2020, and the most recent update in 2021 calls for 3 lines:
– East-West Line
Nam O 1 residential area (Lien Chieu District), downtown areas, My Khe Beach (Son Tra District).
– South-North Line
Son Tra Tinh Vien nature reserve on Son Tra Peninsula, Da Nang Airport, Khue Trung (Cam Le District).
– Da Nang – Hoi An Line
The links below are an archive of news updates, studies, and reports. These include diagrams and maps of potential routes. I will make a map one more detailed routes have been published.
Links And Resources
The Study on the Integrated Development Strategy for Danang City and Its Neighboring Area FINAL REPORT [PDF]
Part IV: Danang City Development Master Plan.
News Archive
2024
Beach hub calls investment on urban railway system – [17/11/24]
“The central city of Đà Nẵng has called for investment on an urban railway route connecting the Đà Nẵng International Airport and tourism beach of Mỹ Khê on 14.9km in the Master Plan 2021-30, vision 2050.”
Central Vietnam hub Danang seeks investment for urban railway airport link – [14/11/24]
“Under the masterplan, the central city aims to develop two MRT (mass rapid transit) lines and two LRT (light rail transit) routes by 2030, followed by another four LRT lines and one BRT (bus rapid transit) route by 2045.”
Da Nang researches on public transport-oriented urban development – [20/04/24]
“For Da Nang, in the content of the Da Nang Master Plan for the 2021-2030 period, with a vision toward 2050 issued by the Prime Minister in Decision No. 1287/QD-TTg dated November 2, 2023, land funds (underground, surface) are pre-arranged and suitable for terminal and transfer stations (underground, surface, elevated) of MRT (Mass Rapid Transport) and LRT (Light Rail Transit) systems with an orientation to boost the development of these stations according to the TOD model, synchronously connecting with other types of public passenger transport (buses, public bicycles, taxis) combined with centralised trade and service development planning.”
2023
Da Nang strives to complete transportation network as a logistics centre – [10/11/23]
“…the city also eyes the building of 2 MRT lines, 11 LRT lines, 3 tourist LRT lines or other methods equivalent to transportation capacity and speed, a public transport line (urban railway or other equivalent method) connecting Da Nang with Hoi An in Quang Nam Province and Lang Co Town in neighbouring Thua Thien Hue Province.”
Quang Nam plans urban railway line connecting Da Nang and Chu Lai airports – [04/07/23]
“According to the plan of Quang Nam province, the urban railway will connect Da Nang city from Tran Dai Nghia street through the axes connecting to Chu Lai airport.”
2022
Urban traffic planning in Da Nang approved – [04/07/22]
“For urban transport system planning, heed is paid to conducting the classification and organisation of urban road network, urban railway lines (on the ground, overhead, underground works), locations and the scale of railway stations, parking lots in urban areas and traffic hubs.”
2021
Da Nang seeks investment for $2 bln metro routes – [03/03/21]
“The central city of Da Nang is seeking investors for two metro routes with an estimated investment of VND54.5 trillion ($2.37 billion).”
2019
Seoul Metro to build Da Nang’s first railway system – [21/03/19]
“Seoul Metro, the operator of Seoul’s subway lines 1 through 8, signed a special memorandum of agreement with the People’s Committee of Vietnam at the committee’s regional office in Da Nang”.
South Korean metro operator proposes $3 billion Da Nang urban railway – [25/02/19]
“South Korea’s Seoul Metro Corporation has proposed a Da Nang rail network with 2 metro and 8 tramway lines.”
2018
Foreign funding sought for Da Nang-Hoi An metro line in central Vietnam – [23/11/18]
“Da Nang City is seeking foreign investment for a metro line from the Da Nang International Airport to ancient Hoi An Town. The line will run 33 kilometers (20.5 miles) along the coast and reduce road congestion, authorities say.”
South Korea pledges to assist Da Nang in planning urban railway system – [14/07/18]
Seoul Metro to construct urban railway in Vietnam – [18/01/18]
“Seoul Metro, operator of Seoul Subway Lines 1 – 8, will participate in construction of urban railway in Da Nang, Vietnam. This will be the first city railway built in Da Nang.”
Seoul Metro advises Danang on elevated railways – [18/01/18]
2017
Investment appeal for Da Nang-Hoi An electronic railway line – [20/10/17]
“In the seminar of attracting investment into infrastructure under the Invest Da Nang Forum 2017 last week, Quang Nam province and Da Nang city promoted the project of Da Nang – Hoi An electric railway line.”
Da Nang leaders seek investment in railway linking city center with Hoi An – [17/10/17]
Da Nang wants investment in infrastructure projects – [15/10/17]
“Central Da Nang City is calling for investment in a metro line project to connect it with its neighboring city of Quang Nam Province’s Hoi An.”
Case study of Da Nang City [PDF] – [September 2017]
“Reviews of the transport master plan of Da Nang City”.
2014
Central city studies tramway feasibility – [10/11/14]
“The central city of Da Nang has assigned the municipal Transport Department to collaborate with Peterson International Inc (PI) and Emerging Asean Capital Partners (EACP) on carrying out a feasibility study for a tramway project.”
2013
Marubeni eyes on metro construction in Da Nang – [13/08/13]
“Japan’s Marubeni company will conduct a pre-feasibility study of the metro system project in Da Nang, director of the city’s investment promotion centre Lam Quang Minh has said.”
2012
Italy’s Geo-Data Engineering seeks involvement in Da Nang’s metro project
“Geo-Data Engineering has a great interest in the urban transport system of Da Nang and wants to become involved in the implementation of the city’s metro project. This was announced by Mr Giuseppe Astore, Technical Director of the Bangalore Office of Geo-Data Engineering Group, during a recent meeting with the Vice Chairman of Da Nang People’s Committee, Mr Nguyen Ngoc Tuan.”
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