Hanoi Metro tests biometrics towards smart transportation

According to the plan of the Ministry of Public Security , the Ministry of Construction and the Hanoi People's Committee, all 12 stations on the Cat Linh - Ha Dong line with 65 ticket gates have been integrated with the testing system. Passengers can use their chip-embedded citizen identification cards, electronic tickets on the Hanoi Metro application, ticket cards or VISA international payment cards to pass through the gates. In particular, biometric technology is applied, allowing identification and authentication of passengers with just a few quick steps.

Photo caption — Facial recognition data display at ticket gate.

In the early days, many passengers expressed their excitement when experiencing ticket checking using facial recognition technology for the first time. Ms. Nguyen Thu Hang (Cau Giay, Hanoi ) shared: "I find it much more convenient, no need to worry about losing paper tickets or having to search for cards. Just show your face and the system will recognize and open the gate very quickly."

In addition, passengers over 60 years old – who are exempt from ticket fees – can easily use chip-embedded ID cards to travel, reducing cumbersome procedures.

The application of electronic identification and biometrics not only helps passengers save time, but also opens the door to smart traffic management. According to experts, when the system is synchronized, passenger data will be stored securely, serving traffic analysis, optimizing operating frequency, and improving ticket fraud prevention capacity.

This is also a concrete step in realizing Hanoi's smart urban development strategy by 2030. The city is aiming to integrate many public services and urban utilities through digital platforms, from healthcare, education to transportation. In particular, the metro - as the backbone of the public transport system - is the ideal place to deploy and replicate advanced technologies.

Many countries such as Japan, South Korea, and Singapore have applied biometric identification in the metro system early. The fact that Hanoi has begun testing this solution shows its proactive approach to the global trend. According to the representative of Hanoi Metro, the long-term goal is to integrate multi-modal payments, so that passengers only need one method to travel by metro, bus, electric taxi or public bicycle.

However, the challenges are not small. The issues of personal data security, system stability and public consensus need to be ensured. Experts suggest that Hanoi Metro should continue to collect feedback from passengers and improve the technology before expanding to other metro lines in the future.

Through the trial period, Hanoi Metro hopes to bring passengers a safe, convenient and environmentally friendly experience. New technology not only changes travel habits, but also contributes to enhancing the image of a modern, integrated and sustainable capital.