Real Estate

Ho Chi Minh City Unveils Plan to Simultaneously Complete Three Metro Lines by 2030

The city is actively developing a PPP funding mechanism, leveraging land resources and implementing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) around stations to maximize social capital investment.

Administrator

21 November, 2025

The Metro Line No. 1, Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien, officially commenced commercial operations on December 22, 2024. (Photo: Quoc Khan/TTXVN)

Following the directive of Ho Chi Minh City Party Secretary Tran Luu Quang regarding the completion of three key metro lines (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong, Ben Thanh – Thu Thiem, Thu Thiem – Long Thanh) by 2030, the Department of Construction of Ho Chi Minh City shared its solutions and proposals during a press conference on socio-economic updates held on the afternoon of November 20.

Mr. Mai Thanh Tung, Deputy Head of the Planning and Investment Division at the Department of Construction, stated that the city is simultaneously implementing several urban railway and national railway projects. For Metro Line No. 2, the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong section is finalizing project adjustments and is expected to break ground in January 2026; the Ben Thanh – Thu Thiem section is under study for the 2025-2030 period.

Regarding the Thu Thiem – Long Thanh line, the project has completed its final pre-feasibility study report and has been approved by the central government, with Ho Chi Minh City designated as the lead agency.

The city is collaborating with Dong Nai Province to process related procedures, as the line spans both localities.

According to the Department of Construction, given the limited investment resources from the central and city governments, mobilizing private sector capital is crucial, as emphasized in Resolution 68.

Several businesses have expressed interest in investing, notably Truong Hai Group, which has proposed investing in the Ben Thanh – Thu Thiem and Thu Thiem – Long Thanh lines under a PPP model.

The People’s Committee is tasking specialized agencies with reviewing this proposal.

Drawing from the experience of Metro Line No. 1, delays were caused by ODA loan conditions, the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, and the city’s first-time adoption of metro technology.

Learning from these challenges, the city has established special mechanisms to enhance autonomy in project approval and management.

The National Assembly has also adopted Resolution 188/2025/QH15, piloting specific mechanisms and policies to develop urban railway networks in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, allowing breakthrough mechanisms such as direct procurement, decentralization, and greater authority for the People’s Committee in project approval, design adjustments, and investment caps.

The city has issued implementation plans for Resolution 188/2025/QH15 and a specific plan for the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong line, while the Department of Construction is engaging with interested businesses to advise the People’s Committee within its jurisdiction.

According to Mr. Mai Thanh Tung, implementing the three key metro lines simultaneously will undoubtedly create significant pressure regarding timelines, funding, and inter-agency and inter-locality coordination.

However, with the special mechanisms from Resolution 188/2025/QH15 and the 2025 Railway Law, the city is positioned to shorten investment preparation times, expedite contractor selection, and resolve procedural bottlenecks.

The city is also developing resource mobilization mechanisms through PPP models, leveraging land funds, and promoting TOD urban development around stations to increase socialized capital.

With strong political commitment, new mechanisms, and investor participation, the goal of completing the three key metro lines by 2030 is well-founded and entirely feasible.

Xuan Anh

– 19:44 20/11/2025