Officially inaugurated on December 22 after 12 years of construction, Metro Line 1 has quickly become a major attraction in Ho Chi Minh City.

To encourage public adoption of this new form of transportation, the city has offered free rides for the first month of operation.
Each day, the operator - HURC1 (Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railways Company Limited No. 1) - runs 200 train trips between 5:00 a.m. and 10:00 p.m.

Record-breaking passenger numbers

According to HURC1, from December 22 to 29, Metro Line 1 completed over 1,562 trips, serving approximately 908,109 passengers - an average of more than 113,513 passengers per day.

The service set daily records, beginning with nearly 150,000 passengers on its first day of operation.

Weekend numbers skyrocketed, with approximately 175,000 passengers on Saturday, December 28, and nearly 201,000 on Sunday, December 29.

HURC1 attributed this surge to the public’s eagerness to experience the new metro system during its first weekend of operation.

On weekdays, the metro has seen increasing use as a convenient mode of transportation for commuting to work or school and visiting city attractions.

Starting January 2, 2025, Metro Line 1 will implement a new access control system. Passengers are encouraged to download the HCMC Metro HURC app to generate a QR code for entry and exit.

For those with Mastercard, free rides can be accessed by simply tapping the card at designated entry and exit gates equipped with card readers. Passengers without Mastercard can register for one at metro stations, provided they bring their National ID card, chip-embedded ID, or the VNEID app for verification.

Beginning January 10, 2025, other card types - including Visa, JCB, American Express, UnionPay, and Napas—will also be accepted at metro gates.

From January 20, 2025, passengers can use chip-enabled National ID cards to scan at entry and exit points.

For children under 14 and others who may face difficulties, station staff will be available to assist and guide them in using the metro services.

To ensure a seamless experience during the free ride period, HURC1 will station additional staff and volunteers at metro stops. This support aims to help passengers adapt quickly to the new system while enjoying the service with ease.

Tuan Kiet