Monday, December 23, 2024 Ho Chi Minh City debuts its first metro line after years of delays, aiming to ease congestion for 9 million residents with free rides for the first month. More than a decade after construction began, Vietnam’s largest city has launched its inaugural mass rapid transit system. On Sunday, throngs of eager commuters queued up to experience Metro Line 1, which officially began operations in Ho Chi Minh City, according to state news outlet Viet Nam News .
Spanning from the bustling Ben Thanh market in the city center to the Soui Tien Theme Park on its northwestern outskirts, the line features 14 stations—three underground and 11 elevated. The launch follows years of setbacks, attributed to challenges like financial hurdles and the Covid-19 pandemic, state media reported. Vietnamese officials anticipate the metro will ease the notorious traffic congestion in Ho Chi Minh City, home to approximately 9 million residents.
The metro system’s ambitious plan includes eight lines, though timelines for the remaining routes are yet to be disclosed. To encourage ridership, the government is offering free tickets for the first month and complimentary connections to new electric buses serving metro stations. Afterward, fares will range from 7,000 to 20,000 dong (27 to 79 cents), with free rides for seniors and disabled passengers.
Students and users of e-payment apps can enjoy discounted fares. Trains will operate daily from 5 a.m.
to 10 p.m. Vietnam’s transit .