Ho Chi Minh City (TP HCM) has proposed accelerating the Thu Dau Mot - city center metro line, with a groundbreaking target of this December and completion by the end of 2030. This initiative aims to deliver the project 5 years ahead of its original schedule, significantly contributing to the city's goal of establishing approximately 200 km of urban railway by 2030, as outlined in Resolution 09 of the Politburo.

The proposal, sent to the Ministry of Construction by the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, seeks to include the Binh Duong metro line 2, specifically the Thu Dau Mot - TP HCM section, in the list of priority investment projects for the 2026-2030 period. TP HCM is currently studying an extension of this metro line from Thu Dau Mot deeper into the city center. The proposed endpoint would shift from the Hiep Binh Phuoc depot to Tao Dan station, creating one major public transport hub by connecting with metro line 2 Ben Thanh - Tham Luong and metro line 3 in the urban core.

Design rendering of Tao Dan underground station for the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong metro line, which will connect to the Thu Dau Mot line and line 3 in the future. *MAUR*

This acceleration comes as TP HCM re-evaluates its urban railway development. The city previously aimed to complete 6 additional metro lines by 2030, totaling about 187 km with an estimated investment of USD 17 billion. These lines include Ben Thanh - Tham Luong, Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem, Thu Thiem - Long Thanh, Ben Thanh - Can Gio, Binh Duong New City - Suoi Tien, and phase 1 of metro line 6 (Tan Son Nhat airport - Phu Huu). However, to meet the growing demand for an expanded metro network, the city deems it necessary to expedite several projects initially slated for after 2030, making the Binh Duong metro line 2 a key focus for early implementation.

Beyond the Thu Dau Mot line, TP HCM expects to commence construction on the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh, Binh Duong New City - Suoi Tien, and phase 1 of metro line 6 projects this year. Several other lines, including Ben Thanh - Tham Luong, Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem, and Ben Thanh - Can Gio, have already had their groundbreakings since late 2025.

Following administrative boundary expansion, TP HCM's urban railway network is planned to span over 1,000 km. Currently, only nearly 20 km of metro line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) is operational. The expedited implementation of new metro projects is anticipated to benefit from special mechanisms and policies concerning investment, procedures, and capital mobilization.

Giang Anh