Extend Metro Line 1 to Binh Duong and Dong Nai
Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) is the first urban railway line in Ho Chi Minh City, with a length of nearly 20 km, connecting Ben Thanh Station (District 1) to Long Binh Depot (Thu Duc City). After 12 years of construction, the line has been completed and is expected to start commercial operation from December 22, 2024.
In order to meet the increasing travel demand, Ho Chi Minh City has agreed with Binh Duong and Dong Nai on a plan to extend Metro Line 1 through these two provinces.
According to the plan, from Suoi Tien station (near the new Eastern Bus Station), the route will be built with an elevated section along National Highway 1, then turn left to Binh Thang station (S0) near Tan Van intersection (Binh Duong).
From here, the Metro line splits into two branches. The first branch is 18.3 km long, running overhead through the Vung Tau intersection, Sat market and Ho Nai 3 commune (Trang Bom district, Dong Nai).
The remaining branch is nearly 30 km long, connecting Binh Duong through locations such as Binh Chuan intersection, Binh Duong Industrial - Urban - Service Complex, Ben Cat town, Tan Uyen city and Thu Dau Mot city.
The total investment for the Metro Line 1 extension project is estimated at more than VND86,000 billion, proposed to be prioritized in the 2025 - 2035 period.
Of which, Ho Chi Minh City is responsible for the section from Suoi Tien to S0 station with a cost of about 3,000 billion VND. Binh Duong is implementing the connecting section to the province with a cost of more than 51,700 billion VND. Dong Nai invests over 31,400 billion VND for the branch to this locality.
Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway line
In parallel with the plan to extend Metro Line 1, the 41.83 km Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway project, connecting Ho Chi Minh City with Long Thanh International Airport (Dong Nai), is being researched and implemented.
The starting point of the line is at Thu Thiem station (Thu Duc city), the end point is Long Thanh airport, with a total of 20 stations, including 16 elevated stations and 4 underground stations.
Two depots will be built to ensure efficient operation of the railway. Cam Duong Depot (Long Thanh District) covers an area of 21.4 hectares and is a locomotive maintenance and management center. Thu Thiem Depot is smaller, covering an area of 1.2 hectares, and will serve as a train parking, minor repairs and cleaning area.
With a maximum speed of 120 km/h on the main line and 90 km/h in the tunnels, the line is capable of carrying 30,000 to 40,000 passengers per hour.
The total investment is expected to be up to VND84,752 billion, equivalent to more than USD3.4 billion. This cost includes VND5,504 billion for compensation, site clearance and resettlement.
The project is proposed to be implemented in the form of a combination of state budget capital (69% of total investment) and official development assistance (ODA) capital.
The Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway line not only helps connect the airport with Ho Chi Minh City but also plays an important role in the inter-regional transport network.
This route will connect with other major projects such as urban railway No. 2 at Thu Thiem station, Bien Hoa - Vung Tau railway and North - South high-speed railway.
The project is expected to start construction in the fourth quarter of 2026, be completed in 2029 and put into commercial operation from 2030.
