Metro Line No.1 officially inaugurated in Ho Chi Minh City
VOV.VN - Ho Chi Minh City held an inauguration ceremony for Metro Line No. 1 from Ben Thanh Market Station to Suoi Tien Theme Park on March 9, marking a significant milestone in the city’s urban transportation system.

The route began its commercial operations on December 22, 2024, and it has so far served approximately 5 million passengers and received positive feedback from the public..
Metro Line No. 1 spans a total length of 19.7 km, connecting the downtown area in District 1 to eastern areas such as Binh Thanh District and Thu Duc City. The line consists of 2.6 km of underground tracks and 17.1 km of elevated tracks, featuring 3 underground and 11 elevated stations.
The metro operates daily from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM, with 9 train sets serving passengers. The launch of Metro Line No. 1 is expected to reduce traffic congestion, improve air quality, and contribute to building a smart and modern city.
The inauguration ceremony took place as Ho Chi Minh City is celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Liberation of the South and National Reunification and strengthens Vietnam-Japan cooperation.
This is not only a modern transportation project but also holds significant importance for the city’s socio-economic development, said Nguyen Van Duoc, head of the HCM City administration, at the inauguration ceremony.
He also expressed his gratitude to the leaders of Vietnam and Japan, as well as the team of experts, engineers, workers, and especially the city’s residents who sacrificed personal interests during the land acquisition process.
He affirmed that the inauguration is just the beginning; the next crucial task is to ensure the safe, efficient operation, management, and utilization of Metro Line No. 1.

At the ceremony, Miyazaki Katsura, Senior Executive Vice President of the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), stated that the project has undergone 17 years from approval to official operation, meeting the expectations of local residents. She expressed her hope that the project would contribute to positive changes and improve the quality of life for the people.
“If Vietnam and Ho Chi Minh City request further support, we are willing to collaborate with you to develop more urban railway projects, not only in Ho Chi Minh City but also in other localities in Vietnam. JICA looks forward to continuing our support,” said Katsura.
On the occasion, leaders of Vietnam and Japan participated in the plaque-unveiling ceremony for JICA’s contribution to the project and the recognition of Metro Line No. 1 as a significant municipal project.
Ho Chi Minh City authorities also distributed VikkiGO cards to passengers, demonstrating the city's commitment to integrating financial technology into public transportation, aiming for a smart and modern urban system. It is expected that 100,000 VikkiGO cards will be distributed for free at 14 metro stations during the inauguration event.