The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Industry and Trade has just sent a document to Urban Railway One Member Co., Ltd. No. 1 (the operator of Metro Line 1), proposing to pilot a model of essential goods and services supply points at metro stations.
According to the Department of Industry and Trade, exploiting the space around stations not only brings economic benefits but also contributes to increasing the attraction of the metro system to people through the provision of utilities such as payment, shopping, entertainment, etc.
Therefore, integrating service and commercial space at metro stations is considered one of the important solutions to form a new commercial space, while creating momentum for urban economic growth.
practical implementation in some countries such as Japan, Korea, Singapore shows that the area around metro stations is often planned for high density, integrating many types of trade - services. This is an effective way to create convenience, meeting the essential needs of passengers, from shopping, dining to other convenient services.
In Ho Chi Minh City, Metro Line 1 after being put into operation has contributed to changing the face of public transportation, gradually shaping the civilized and modern travel habits of the people.
With nearly 20km of urban railway put into operation and the goal of reaching 335km of metro by 2035, the city is opening a new commercial space, creating momentum to promote rapid and sustainable economic growth.
To effectively exploit the economic ecosystem along metro lines, modern retail trade activities need to be carefully prepared, in line with the urban transport development orientation.
Based on the above requirements, the Department of Industry and Trade stated that it is necessary to have solutions to promote modern trade, develop a service - trade ecosystem to serve metro passengers and people in the surrounding area. This is also one of the important solutions to develop the domestic market and stimulate consumption in Ho Chi Minh City.
According to the proposal, the Ho Chi Minh City Union of Commercial Cooperatives (Saigon Co.op) will coordinate with relevant units to deploy a pilot model of providing goods and services at metro stations. The model aims to serve the fast and convenient shopping needs of passengers, while contributing to the formation of a modern urban service ecosystem.
The Department of Industry and Trade recommends that Urban Railway Company No. 1 study, review and integrate the above pilot plan into the Metro Line Infrastructure Asset Exploitation Project, and submit it to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee for consideration and approval as a basis for implementation.
Metro Line 1 is the first urban railway project in Ho Chi Minh City, officially put into commercial operation from December 22, 2024.
From the beginning of 2025 to now, this metro line has transported more than 10.4 million passengers, exceeding the set plan by 133.5%. On average, Metro Line 1 serves more than 52,000 passengers per day.
