Although expected to be launched by the end of 2025, Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong) is now facing the risk of delay due to a series of procedures and paperwork not being completed on time.
Stretching over 11 km across six districts, including Districts 1, 3, 10, 12, Tan Binh, and Tan Phu, Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line plays a crucial role in connecting the city center with the northwestern area, reducing traffic congestion on major routes such as Cach Mang Thang Tam, Truong Chinh, and Cong Hoa streets. However, the progress of preparatory steps so far has not met the set requirements.
According to the latest report from the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Authority (MAUR), the adjustment of volume and value for certain consulting packages, which was supposed to be completed by March 22, remained unfinished by the end of May, resulting in a 69-day delay compared to the plan assigned by the municipal People’s Committee. Similar situations have occurred in many other items, ranging from procedures for supplementing the plan for contractor selection to the appraisal of cost estimates.
For instance, the approval procedure for supplementing the plan for contractor selection of essential consulting packages, such as establishing a feasibility study report, performing the FEED design, conducting bidding, supervising construction surveying, and providing legal advice, has been delayed by more than two months compared to the initial schedule. Specifically, the cost estimate for the “Consulting package for establishing a feasibility study report, performing the FEED design, and conducting bidding” is also 51 days behind schedule.
Additionally, the proposal for special mechanisms in accordance with Resolution 188 of the National Assembly, including the orientation for selecting EPC contractors and consultants, which should have been completed by the end of March, has not been approved yet.
Apart from procedural obstacles, another critical bottleneck hindering the project’s progress is the incomplete procedure for discontinuing the use of foreign ODA and preferential loans.
Previously, Metro Line 2 received financial support from three international organizations: the Asian Development Bank (ADB), the German Reconstruction Bank (KfW), and the European Investment Bank (EIB). However, due to prolonged implementation, these loans have expired, compelling Ho Chi Minh City to shift towards utilizing domestic public investment in line with Resolution 188.
MAUR has reported the entire situation to the municipal People’s Committee and proposed that departments and sectors, especially the Department of Finance and the Department of Construction, promptly provide consensus to address the existing obstacles.
As per the roadmap set by the city, from now until the end of 2025, Metro Line 2 must accomplish the following: complete the survey and overall design by June, appraise the pre-feasibility study report in August, submit it for approval in September, and organize bidding in October to officially commence construction in December. However, with the current pace, the possibility of missing the commencement deadline looms large.
Approved in 2010, Metro Line 2 initially had a total investment of approximately $1.3 billion. After several adjustments, the investment surged to over $2 billion (equivalent to VND 47,900 billion) in 2019. This is Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line, following Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien), which commenced commercial operation in late 2024.
