Thousands of residents and tourists flocked to experience the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro Line 1 on December 29, the last Sunday of the year, turning the stations into bustling hubs of activity.
From early morning, large crowds gathered at the metro stations along the newly opened line.
By noon, the underground Ben Thanh station (District 1) was packed with eager passengers.
Many waited in long lines to access the platform, with some groups even sitting on the station floor as they waited for their turn.
At times, passengers had to queue for up to 30 minutes to reach the train boarding area.
"Metro services started last week, but today is the first time my family could arrange to try it," shared Nam from Tan Phu District. "Despite the crowds and the wait, we’re still very excited."
Many groups of passengers sat on the station floor while waiting to access the boarding area. At the Ben Thanh underground station (District 1), passengers had to queue for about half an hour before reaching the train waiting area.
At stations like Tan Cang, staff worked tirelessly to manage the flow of passengers, ensuring orderly boarding and disembarking.
However, with trains reaching maximum capacity, many waiting at intermediary stations were unable to board and had to wait for the next train.
Inside the trains, carriages were filled with families, young people, and groups taking advantage of the free trial period. Many passengers shared the excitement of experiencing Vietnam’s first metro line.
"I planned to take a round trip from Ben Thanh, but it’s so crowded that I’ll get off at another station and catch a ride home," said Thanh Thu from Binh Thanh District.
Since its official launch on December 22, Metro Line 1 has drawn tremendous interest. Over the first seven days of operation, from December 22 to December 28, it recorded 707,161 passengers.
On December 28, the metro welcomed over 175,000 riders, surpassing the nearly 150,000 passengers on its opening day.
The line, which took 17 years of planning and 12 years of construction, is currently offering free rides for its first 30 days of operation.
Metro Line 1 is expected to serve around 40,000 passengers daily, according to registration with the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport.
As the first metro system in the city, the line is not only a functional mode of transportation but also a symbol of modernity and progress, quickly becoming a popular destination for locals and visitors alike.
Vietnamnet.vn
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