A widely shared social media post has allegedly mischaracterized an incident involving Chinese-built metro trains in Vietnam. The post features images of passengers holding umbrellas inside a train and implies serious construction defects in Chinese infrastructure projects across Southeast Asia. Our investigation shows these claims are inaccurate and lack proper context.
Social Media Posts
A viral Facebook post alleges that a metro line in Hanoi, Vietnam, built with Chinese technology, was so poorly constructed that just one year after its launch, passengers had to use umbrellas inside the train to protect themselves from rain leaking through the roof. The post is accompanied by photos of commuters holding umbrellas and includes a sarcastic caption:
“Chinese technology: Vietnam’s first urban train line in Hanoi leaks. Passengers must bring umbrellas.”
Fact Check
Our investigation found that the incident took place on May 19, 2025, on Hanoi’s Line 2A of the Cat Linh – Ha Dong metro. Local news outlet VietNamNet reported that the issue was caused by a faulty air conditioning unit in one train, which caused water to drip inside the passenger area. Passengers were seen using umbrellas, not because of rain leaking from the roof, but due to water dripping from a faulty air conditioning system inside the train.
According to Hanoi Metro Company, the issue was caused by a malfunction in the AC control system, which disrupted drainage and led to water leaking into the passenger cabin. The company responded immediately by sending staff to assist passengers and clean the area, before returning the train to Phu Luong Depot for repairs.
Hanoi Metro called the incident a “rare technical error” and apologized publicly. A full inspection of the AC systems across all trains was ordered, and a mid-life overhaul plan is being proposed to ensure long-term operational safety. The trains involved were manufactured and imported in 2017, and there is no evidence of structural flaws or poor construction as implied by the viral claim.
Context about the Metro
Hanoi’s first metro line, Line 2A (also called Cat Linh – Ha Dong), began operating on November 6, 2021. The project took nearly a decade to complete. Running on elevated tracks, the 13km route connects Cat Linh in Dong Da District to Yen Nghia in Ha Dong District. With 12 stations along the way, passengers can travel from end to end in just 23 minutes. This line is just the beginning – Hanoi has plans for a comprehensive urban rail network with 10 lines spanning 417km.
The project was built by China Railway Sixth Group but experienced several delays due to problems with acquiring land, changes in design plans, and disputes over contracts. While it was supposed to open in 2013, the final cost increased by 57% to Dong 18 trillion (about USD $791.6 million). China provided most of the funding through development loans, covering 77% of the total cost.
The fleet serving Line 2A consists of 13 four-car trains supplied by Beijing Subway Rolling Stock Equipment Company, each with a design speed of 80 km/h and a capacity of more than 900 passengers. Since the metro’s inauguration, it has become a key component of Hanoi’s growing public transit network.
The system has experienced some maintenance issues, including the air-conditioning malfunction in May 2025. Such technical challenges are typical for any public transportation system, regardless of origin or manufacturer. (Source)
Conclusion
This viral claim is misleading. The social media post misrepresented the cause of the issue, implying poor construction. In reality, the problem stemmed from a one-time air conditioning malfunction in a single train and was not due to structural flaws.
Title:Viral Claim About Chinese-Built Metro in Vietnam Is Misleading
Fact Check By: Cielito WangResult: Misleading
