On Sunday, hundreds of eager commuters queued for the opportunity to be among the first to ride Metro Line 1 as it commenced operation in Ho Chi Minh City, as reported by the state-run Viet Nam News.
The line extends from the bustling Ben Thanh Market in the city center to the Soui Tien Theme Park on the northwestern outskirts, encompassing 14 stations – three subterranean and 11 elevated.
The launch follows years of setbacks attributed to factors such as the Covid-19 pandemic and financial limitations, according to state media.
“After 17 years of planning and 12 years of construction, the inauguration of this metro line today signifies a crucial step in the development of public transportation within the city,” stated city official Bui Xuan Cuong at the line's opening ceremony.
The Vietnamese government has expressed its aspiration that the metro system will alleviate traffic congestion in the notoriously gridlocked city, which has a population of approximately 9 million.
Eight lines are slated for development, but the government has not yet disclosed opening dates for the remaining lines.
To incentivize ridership, fares will be waived for the first month, and complimentary transfers to new electric buses connecting to the metro stations will be provided.
Subsequently, fares will range from 7,000 to 20,000 dong (27 to 79 cents) based on distance, while senior citizens and passengers with disabilities will ride free of charge. Students and commuters utilizing e-payment applications will be eligible for discounts.
Trains will operate daily between 5 a.m. and 10 p.m.
Vietnam’s transit infrastructure has become an arena for competition between Japan and China, both vying to expand their influence across Asia.
Despite Japan's initial involvement, ultimately contributing 43.7 trillion Vietnamese dong ($1.72 billion) to the Ho Chi Minh City project, the capital city Hanoi’s China-backed system achieved the first operational metro line in 2021. Construction on Hanoi’s second metro line is scheduled to commence in 2025.
Earlier this year, the Vietnamese government revealed ambitious plans to construct two high-speed rail lines linking to China, the nation’s primary trading partner.
There are also proposals to establish a high-speed rail connection between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.
