Ho Chi Minh City plans to begin construction on nine metro lines by the end of 2027, with a preliminary investment of approximately $44 billion, aiming to complete a 355-kilometer network by 2035.

The information was shared by the city’s Department of Construction during a press briefing on September 18 regarding socio-economic developments in the area.

According to the Urban Railway Management Office, the investment will be implemented in two main phases: 2026-2030 and 2031-2035. The city aims to complete land clearance, compensation, and resettlement processes by 2027 to pave the way for simultaneous groundbreaking across all nine lines.

Caption: Ho Chi Minh City is set to launch nine metro lines by late 2027 with an estimated $44 billion budget. Photo: Dao Phuong.

The nine metro projects include:

Metro Line 2 with the sections: Ben Thanh – Tham Luong, Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem, and Tham Luong – Cu Chi
Ben Thanh – An Ha metro line
Hiep Binh Phuoc – An Ha metro line
Dong Thanh – Tan Son Nhat Airport – Ben Thanh – Hiep Phuoc metro line
Long Truong – Hanoi Highway – Saigon Bridge – Bay Hien – Da Phuoc Depot metro line
Inner Ring Road metro line
Tan Kien – Nguyen Van Linh – Thu Thiem – Thao Dien – Thanh Da – High-Tech Park – Vinhomes Grand Park metro line
Two inter-provincial lines: Binh Duong New City – Suoi Tien and Thu Dau Mot City – Ho Chi Minh City
Additionally, Vingroup has proposed a new railway line connecting the city center with Can Gio.

The Urban Railway Management Office noted that the $44 billion estimate is preliminary, calculated based on the city's Urban Railway Development Plan and interprovincial links with Binh Duong (prior to the proposed merger). Funding will come from a variety of sources, including the state budget and, notably, non-budget capital mobilized through value capture from land around transit-oriented development (TOD) zones.

The People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has assigned the Urban Railway Management Board to oversee the development of these nine lines. The board is currently preparing feasibility study reports and comprehensive technical designs, with groundbreaking anticipated during the 2025-2027 period.

The city is also working urgently to complete a Capital Mobilization Plan for urban rail development, in line with Conclusion No. 49-KL/TW. The goal is to establish a coherent, synchronized, and effective roadmap supported by a solid financial framework.

Ho Chi Minh City places special emphasis on diversifying financial sources, including ODA, the state budget, and public-private partnerships (PPP). Thorough financial preparation and a transparent, stable capital allocation mechanism are considered critical to ensuring project quality and timely delivery.

Tuan Kiet