Metro Line Opens in Ho Chi Minh City After Years of Delay

Ho Chi Minh City’s First Metro Line Opens After Over a Decade of Delays

After 17 years of planning and 12 years of construction, Vietnam’s largest city has unveiled its first mass rapid transit line, marking a significant milestone in the advancement of public transportation within the city.

The metro line stretches from the busy Ben Thanh market in the city center to the Soui Tien Theme Park outside Ho Chi Minh City’s northwestern boundary, with 14 stops – three underground and 11 above. Hundreds of people lined up for the chance to be among the first passengers to board Metro Line 1 as it began operations on Sunday.

The line is part of Vietnam’s ambitious plan to improve its public transportation system, which aims to reduce traffic in the notoriously congested city that is home to about 9 million people. The government hopes that the metro system will help alleviate traffic congestion and provide a more efficient mode of transport for citizens.

The opening of the first metro line comes after years of delays, caused by factors including the Covid-19 pandemic and financial constraints. However, the Vietnamese government has announced plans for eight lines in total, with the other lines expected to open at a later date.

As an incentive for travelers, tickets are free for the first month, and there will be free connections to new electric buses that connect with the metro stops. After the initial period, tickets will cost 7,000 to 20,000 dong (27 to 79 cents) depending on distance, while elderly and disabled riders will travel for free.

Trains will run daily between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m., providing a convenient and efficient mode of transport for citizens. The metro system is seen as an opportunity for Vietnam to strengthen its influence throughout Asia, with the country’s transit infrastructure becoming a site of competition between Japan and China.