On the morning of October 2, Phan Cong Bang, head of the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), provided an update on the progress of metro projects across the city.

According to Bang, the city is focusing on completing investment preparation documents for three new metro lines. With a combined length of nearly 90 km and preliminary investment of more than VND254 trillion ($9.6 billion), all three projects are targeted for approval in December 2026, with construction officially beginning by the end of the year.

"If everything proceeds according to plan, the city's urban transport landscape will see a major breakthrough, helping increase the total length of the urban railway network to around 255 km by the end of 2030," Bang said.

Metro connecting former Thu Dau Mot City with central Ho Chi Minh City: The line will stretch more than 33 km, with preliminary investment estimated at around VND113 trillion ($4.3 billion).

Starting near Hung Vuong Street, the route will run along major thoroughfares including Pham Ngoc Thach Street, Binh Duong Boulevard, National Highway 13 and Nguyen Thi Minh Khai Street before entering the heart of the city.

The project is expected to have 24 stations, combining elevated and underground sections. Its terminus at Tao Dan Park will serve as an important interchange, providing a direct connection to the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong metro line.

The investor has submitted the proposed technology, technical standards and a feasibility study for the compensation and resettlement component for appraisal in preparation for construction.

Metro Line No. 6, Phase 1, Tan Son Nhat - Phu Huu section: The approximately 23-km line, with preliminary investment of more than VND86 trillion ($3.3 billion), is also undergoing the final stages of appraisal.

The project is intended not only to ease congestion in the inner city but also to establish a high-capacity transport corridor connecting Tan Son Nhat International Airport with the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway.

Metro connecting Binh Duong New City with Suoi Tien: The nearly 31-km line will require total investment of around VND55 trillion ($2.1 billion).

It will begin at the A1 roundabout in Binh Duong Ward and pass through several industrial and urban areas, including Phu Loi, Thuan Giao, An Phu and Di An, before reaching Suoi Tien Bus Station in Long Binh Ward.

Once operational, the line will integrate with the existing Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro, creating a continuous transport corridor toward Dong Nai and Long Thanh International Airport.

Ho Chi Minh City currently operates only the nearly 20-km Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line. The city, however, aims to expand its urban railway network to around 255 km by 2030.

To advance that plan, the city has since the beginning of the year continuously launched or held groundbreaking ceremonies for key projects including the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong, Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem and Ben Thanh - Can Gio lines.

Alongside the three projects being prepared for investment using state budget funding, Ho Chi Minh City is also accelerating the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh project and the section of Metro Line No. 2 running from Tham Luong through An Ha to the Northwest Urban Area.

Tuan Kiet