Thai Nguyen has officially launched its first electric bus route, establishing a modern public transit link between Tan Long (Thai Nguyen) and Da Phuc (Hanoi). Rolled out on the morning of October 30th, the inaugural service coincides with major regional celebrations marking the 195th anniversary of the founding of Thai Nguyen province alongside the 2026 Thai Nguyen International Tea Festival.
Operated by the Ha Lan Trade and Tourism Joint Stock Company, the green-energy transport project represents a total investment of 60 billion VND, roughly equivalent to USD 2.3 million. The rollout is designed to upgrade public passenger transport quality while accelerating the province’s broader environmental transition toward sustainable infrastructure.
Infrastructure and Fleet Investment
To support the new route, the operator has deployed a fleet of 15 brand-new KIM LONG B40-EV electric buses manufactured in 2026. Technical backing for the fleet includes five 240 kW charging stations, a dedicated 22 kV power line, and a 1,600 kVA transformer station engineered to handle high-capacity daily charging requirements.
Before this rollout, Route 01 relied on 13 conventional fossil-fuel buses that carried more than 1,600 commuters daily. Across the entire province, public passenger networks encompass more than 1,700 vehicles—including over 170 buses—collectively moving more than 12,500 passengers every day.
Provincial Support Policies and Long-Term Targets
The transition is backed by local legislative measures. On December 10, 2025, the People’s Council of Thai Nguyen province issued Resolution No. 35/2025/NQ-HĐND, which took effect on January 1, 2026, establishing financial incentives for green public transport development.
Under this policy framework, eligible green bus initiatives qualify for annual interest rate subsidies of 6% for up to seven years. The subsidy can cover up to 100% of the loan contract value, provided the borrowed amount does not exceed 80% of the approved vehicle value. Additionally, the resolution outlines fare exemptions and reductions for targeted passenger groups to drive ridership.
Local authorities have set a benchmark for the coming years, aiming for green-energy vehicles to comprise at least 40% of the public transport fleet by 2030.
Official Remarks on Environmental Impact
Speaking at the launch ceremony, Nguyen Linh, Permanent Vice Chairman of the People’s Committee of Thai Nguyen province, stated that the new electric route delivers on the province’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, limiting noise pollution, and safeguarding local air quality.
The official urged the operating company to maintain service quality and passenger safety, ensure accurate bus schedules, maintain clean and modern vehicles, and comply with legal regulations on transportation business. Concurrently, the provincial Department of Construction has been directed to coordinate on subsequent policies necessary for an integrated, sustainable transit grid.
Nguyen Manh Ha, Chairman of the Board of Directors of the Ha Lan Trade and Tourism Joint Stock Company, emphasized that the firm prioritizes passenger satisfaction and service reliability. He confirmed that management will work alongside local regulators to evaluate future expansions of the green energy transport network as operational conditions allow.
