Mr. Ngo Manh Tuan, Deputy Director of the Hanoi Department of Transportation wants to carefully assess and evaluate the gondola concept that was submitted this week. Image by elevonic.
The Vietnamese capital of Hanoi has received a proposal to build an urban gondola across the Red River. Based on articles found online (Vietnam Biz, VTN and Moi Truong), the ropeway system is apparently 5km (3mi) in length and is designed to transport 3,500-4,500 persons per hour per direction onboard a fleet of 25/30-passenger cabins. While the technology was not mentioned, the proposed system may likely use 3S technology given the cabin capacities stated and the potential spans required.
The current concept is to have a ropeway travel over the Red River at heights of 50-100m (160-320ft) while connecting Long Bien Bus Station to Gia Lam Bus Station. Proponents hope that the cable car will relieve traffic congestion and reduce cross-river travel times.
The gondola could be a welcome addition to Hanoi as its rapid transit network is highly underdeveloped for a city with 7.5 million residents. At this time, the capital has zero subway lines (the first urban rail line won’t begin trial operations until August) and its public transit network is merely composed of 100 bus routes. Many, if not most, residents still rely upon the city’s five million motorbikes for daily transport.
The motorbikes can be an efficient (and thrilling) way to move about the city, but officials are hoping to ban their use by 2030 in order to reduce environmental and traffic congestion problems. As such, an urban ropeway with its electric propulsion systems and small footprint, could potentially reduce gridlock, lower greenhouse gas emissions, and provide commuters with an alternative mode of transport.
While cable transit solutions have yet to be implemented in Vietnamese cities, the country is already home to some of the world’s most technologically advanced ropeways. In total, the country holds multiple world records which include:
- Longest 3S cable car: Hon Thom-Phu Quoc Cable Car at 7.9km
- Second longest 3S cable car: Fansipan Legend at 6.3km
- Longest continuous MDG: Bana Hills Cable Car at 5.8km
- Largest ropeway cabin: Queen Cable Car at 230 persons
- Tallest ropeway tower: Queen Cable Car at 188.8m
Vietnam features some of the globe’s most impressive aerial ropeways. These include the Hon Thom 3S (top left), Fansipan Legend (top right), Bana Hills MDG (bottom left) and the Queen Cable Car (bottom left). Images by pduyma, Viwikipediaorg, vtt, and Newone.
Despite the success of these recreational ropeways, the reaction to the Hanoi proposal appears to be mixed at this time. The Hanoi Automobile Transport Association has apparently said that cable lifts are not suitable for public transit while local transport expert, Dr. Nguyen Xuan Thuy, expressed concerns over a ropeway’s ability to reduce traffic congestion. Of course, these comments are expected with any proposal and they appear to be nothing more than a knee-jerk reaction from those who are unfamiliar with the technology.
For professionals who have followed Cable Propelled Transit (CPT), they will know that over 35 public transit gondolas are now operational worldwide while cable cars have been well-documented in terms of its ability to reduce gridlock. For instance, the Mexicable is estimated to have removed 5,800 vehicles from local roadways, while the Mi Teleferico has eliminated the consumption of over 3,000,000 litres of gasoline per year.
Other local experts, such as Dr. Nguyen Huu Nguyen (Urban Planning Association of Vietnam) and Associate Professor Tu Sy Sy (Hanoi University of Transport) have taken a more open-minded position. They have noted the long and proven track record of the ropeway industry, the large capacities of the cabins (nearing the size of a small bus at 25-30 persons) and the ability of ropeways to easily traverse difficult topography. Officials have also acknowledged their wish to objectively assess the submission and determine if the concept is suitable for the city.
With this proposal, Hanoi appears to be the second Vietnamese city to have an urban gondola plan announced publicly. In a separate project last year, a developer in Ho Chi Minh City was unable to advance an aerial lift idea to connect two parks and the Tan Son Nhat international airport. As more Asian cities are now exploring the feasibility of Cable Propelled Transit, the implementation of an urban gondola in Vietnam could help further cement the country as a hub for ropeway innovation.