New momentum from Metro Line 1
The eastern gateway to Ho Chi Minh City, including Hanoi Highway and Vo Nguyen Giap Street, has long been overloaded, with motorbikes having to share the road with trucks and containers, posing a potential danger. Metro Line 1, nearly 20km long, connecting this gateway to the city centre, is expected to reduce congestion and change travel habits, limiting private vehicles. With the capacity to carry 930 passengers per trip, running 200 trips per day, Ho Chi Minh City's first metro line is expected to serve nearly 40,000 passengers per day.
Mr. Tran Tan Binh (40 years old), an office worker in Thu Duc City, shared after experiencing Metro Line 1: “My house is 1km from the National University Station. I plan to walk to the station, take the train to Ben Thanh, then take the bus or bicycle to complete the remaining distance. Taking the metro is both economical and healthy.”
Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son - specializing in urban planning, commented that Metro Line 1 is a "school" for the entire urban railway system, from planning, construction to operation. He emphasized that in the next 10 years, Ho Chi Minh City needs to learn from this line to develop the next lines, ensuring convenience, attracting passengers and optimizing capacity. Mr. Son proposed developing a TOD model around the stations, integrating residential areas, commercial services, shopping and entertainment to increase population density, creating a dynamic and modern living environment.
According to engineer Tran Van Tuong, if Metro No. 1 is exploited to its full potential, it will not only solve traffic jams but also contribute to urban reconstruction, bringing sustainable economic benefits. He proposed franchising to the private sector to take advantage of revenue from advertising at stations, on trains and items such as pedestrian bridges. Stations can rent out space to place ATMs, convenience stores, and coffee shops, helping to offset operating costs and reduce the burden on the budget. "Exploiting Metro No. 1 effectively will be an important stepping stone for Ho Chi Minh City to expand the metro system, both solving traffic problems and promoting sustainable urban development," said Mr. Tuong.
Premises for metro development in Ho Chi Minh City
The metro network in Ho Chi Minh City is being studied to expand to 10 lines, 510km long, more than double the old plan, meeting 50-60% of public passenger transport needs. In particular, from now to 2035, the city aims to complete 7 lines with a total length of 355km, including the extension of Metro No. 1 and lines from No. 2 to No. 7. From 2036 to 2045, the metro system will continue to invest in lines No. 8, 9 and 10, reaching a total length of 510km. The total investment for these two phases is estimated at about 67 billion USD.
Vice Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong said that the operation of Metro Line 1 is an important milestone in the history of the development of the city's public transport system. Metro will meet the needs of people for fast travel, contributing to building a sustainable and modern public transport environment. "The project is also a symbol of cooperation and relations between Vietnam and Japan, after many years of continuous efforts to complete" - Mr. Cuong said, emphasizing that Metro Line 1 will be the premise for the development of the urban railway system in Ho Chi Minh City...
