Ho Chi Minh City is set to begin construction of the Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem metro line by 20/4, 2026. This vital project aims to connect the city center with Long Thanh airport, significantly enhancing regional transportation infrastructure. The announcement came from Vice Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Bui Xuan Cuong following meetings with relevant agencies regarding the progress of metro line 2's Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem section and the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway.
These two projects are crucial for establishing a comprehensive urban railway network and serving as key regional links between Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai. City leaders emphasize their role as a strategic corridor, boosting public transport capacity and ensuring seamless connectivity between Long Thanh airport, central Ho Chi Minh City, and Tan Son Nhat airport.
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Route alignment of the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong and Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem metro sections. Graphic: Khanh Hoang. |
Ho Chi Minh City considers the completion of these lines before 2030 a top priority. Consequently, all departments are urged to mobilize resources to ensure timely and high-quality execution. The Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem line is slated for groundbreaking before 20/4, while feasibility studies for the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway are being expedited for early implementation. The city is maximizing special mechanisms and policies to shorten timelines and enhance project efficiency.
The Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem line spans about 6 km. It is a segment of metro line 2, which also includes the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong section and extends to the Northwest Cu Chi Urban Area. Ho Chi Minh City has prioritized this urgent project, which will connect Ben Thanh station to Thu Thiem and link with the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway leading to Long Thanh airport.
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Construction site of Long Thanh airport. Photo: Quynh Tran. |
Thaco has proposed implementing the Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem line through a public-private partnership (PPP) and a build-transfer (BT) contract, with an estimated capital of approximately 33,000 billion VND. The company is also currently researching and proposing the development of the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh line.
Giang Anh
