HCMC plans three new metro lines totalling over 90 km, with approval due in December

Ho Chi Minh City is working to accelerate procedures for three new urban rail lines with a combined length of more than 90 kilometres and a preliminary investment of over VND254 trillion, about US$9.7 billion.

The three lines

• Binh Duong New City to Suoi Tien: 32.8 km, running from Phu Chanh Depot to Suoi Tien Bus Station, with investment of about VND55 trillion. Technology options and feasibility studies are being finalised.
• Thu Dau Mot to central Ho Chi Minh City: 35 km, from S5 Station to Tao Dan Station, with 24 planned stations and investment of VND113 trillion. It combines elevated and underground sections.
• Metro Line 6, phase 1: 23 km from Tan Son Nhat to Phu Huu, costing over VND86 trillion. It is planned to link with Metro Line 2 and the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh railway.

Timeline

The projects are expected to receive approval in December 2026, and construction may begin by the end of the year.

Metro Line 2 progress

The article also notes that work on the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong line is under way. The first tunnel-boring machine is expected to begin digging in October 2027, and the line is targeted for commissioning at the end of 2030.

What it means for residents

These lines are still at the planning and approval stage, so none of them will change daily commuting soon. They do show the direction of the city's rail network, including a planned link between Thu Thiem and the Long Thanh area that is relevant to people living on the east side of the river. Timelines can shift, so it is worth treating the dates as targets rather than fixed schedules.

Source: SGGP English Edition.