“Proud of HCMC metro”
“Under the red flag, we are not afraid of hardship, a deep belief in the future city.
Promote strength to continue success, proud of HCMC metro...".
This is a part of the song "Proud of Metro HCMC" composed by Ms. Nguyen Nhu Hai Yen - lecturer of Ho Chi Minh City Conservatory of Music. The song was performed on the day Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) officially went into commercial operation (December 22, 2024).
The event marked a new turning point in the development of Ho Chi Minh City's transport infrastructure, opening a new era for public transport, contributing to environmental protection and improving the quality of life for city residents.
Arriving early on the first metro line of Ho Chi Minh City, Ms. Nguyen Nhu Hai Yen said she was honored that her song was chosen to perform at this important milestone.
"This song was released 5 years ago, it is not only my love for Ho Chi Minh City, but also the love of the people of the whole city. I wish to contribute a little bit to this land. The development of Ho Chi Minh City deserves such great achievements", Ms. Yen proudly said and wished the city to have more success in the process of urban development.
Also on December 22, at Ben Thanh station, Mrs. Pham Thi Yen (70 years old, living in District 1, HCMC) and her husband felt happy because they finally waited for the day to take Metro Line 1.
"I like the modern train. Before, taking the bus or motorbike was tiring, but now with the metro, it's much faster and more comfortable," said Ms. Yen.
Opening a new chapter for the Ho Chi Minh City transportation system Not only do people feel joyful and happy to experience the first metro line of Ho Chi Minh City after more than a decade of waiting, but experts - those who directly laid the foundation and participated in the construction process of Metro Line 1 - also could not hide their emotions when looking back on the 12-year journey.
Sharing with reporters, Dr. Phan Huu Duy Quoc, a member of the consulting team of experts for the Project to build the urban railway system in Ho Chi Minh City, said that Metro No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) is not only an urban railway line, but also an important milestone opening a new chapter in the journey of developing the transportation system in Ho Chi Minh City.
“Although a metro line cannot immediately create a clear change, it is the first brick in changing the appearance of urban traffic, the first step for a modern metro network that will continue in the future,” Mr. Quoc expressed.
Looking back at the long and challenging journey of starting to build Metro Line 1, Mr. Quoc recalls the first days when he returned to Vietnam.
“There are special memories that I will never forget, such as the day the willow roundabout was dismantled in the heart of the city, turning the Nguyen Hue - Le Loi intersection into a sea of untidy construction sites. Today, looking at those roads, now neat, clean and more modern, I feel proud of this change,” said Mr. Quoc.
Talking about the goal of building 7 urban railway lines with a total length of about 355 km in the next 10 years, Mr. Quoc said that if the old method is still applied, Ho Chi Minh City may have to wait another hundred years to complete the next metro lines, or even not be able to do it.
“However, with the upcoming plans and proposals from the city to the Central Government, along with special and outstanding mechanisms, I believe that Ho Chi Minh City will be able to accelerate the development of the urban railway network.
We can build many metro lines in a short time, thanks to the lessons and experiences that have been accumulated, along with positive changes in policy mechanisms and legal corridors," Mr. Quoc assessed.
Metro Line 1 will be free of charge for the first 30 days (from December 22, 2024 to January 20, 2025). Operating hours are from 5:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m. daily, with 9 trains operating continuously, a total of 200 trips/day.
The interval between trips is 8 - 12 minutes, each train has a maximum capacity of 930 passengers, including 147 seats and 783 standing places.
With a maximum speed of 110 km/h on the elevated section and 80 km/h underground, the journey from Ben Thanh Station to Suoi Tien Bus Station takes about 29 minutes. Passengers can get on and off at any of the 14 stations on the line.
