HCMC to Commence Construction on Three New Metro Lines Valued at $9.6 Billion

Ho Chi Minh City is poised to commence construction on three new metro lines, with a combined estimated cost of approximately $9.6 billion, in the fourth quarter of this year. The Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board announced on September 21 that it is collaborating with consultants to finalize feasibility studies and procedures for these three lines before submission for official approval. Once completed by 2030 as planned, these new lines are expected to expand the city's urban rail network to around 255 km, a significant leap from its current operational length. All three projects are slated for government funding. The longest and most expensive among them is the Thu Dau Mot - Tao Dan metro line, spanning over 33 km with an estimated cost of VND113 trillion (approximately $4.7 billion). This line will originate near Hung Vuong Street in Binh Duong Province and traverse key routes before entering central HCMC. It is designed with 24 stations, including 13 underground, and will serve as a central interchange at Tao Dan Park, connecting with the existing Line No. 2 (Ben Thanh–Tham Luong). The second line is the first phase of Metro Line No. 6, connecting Tan Son Nhat Airport to Phu Huu. This 23 km route is projected to cost VND86 trillion (approximately $3.6 billion). It will feature 17 stations, with 13 underground and four elevated, and is crucial for forming a mass-transit corridor between Tan Son Nhat and Long Thanh airports, integrating with the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway. The final line will link Binh Duong New City with Suoi Tien, stretching nearly 31 km and costing around VND55 trillion (approximately $2.3 billion). This line is planned to connect with the existing metro network and railway lines heading towards Dong Nai Province and Long Thanh Airport. Ho Chi Minh City currently operates nearly 20 km of its metro system, primarily the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien line. The city's ambitious goal of reaching 255 km of urban rail by 2030 underscores the critical role these new lines will play in its urban development strategy. This initiative follows the recent groundbreaking ceremonies for three other projects this year: Ben Thanh - Tham Luong, Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem, and Ben Thanh - Can Gio. In addition to these, the city is also accelerating work on the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway and a section of Metro Line No. 2. Information source: VnExpress International