Ho Chi Minh City’s much-anticipated metro line No.1 is facing yet another setback. Its commercial operation schedule has been pushed back to the fourth quarter of this year.
This delay, announced by the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), marks a departure from the planned launch in July.
The MAUR report to the People’s Committee outlined a series of necessary tasks for the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien line, which is scheduled for completion in the third quarter. These tasks include a comprehensive safety review, fire safety assessment, and staff training, including drivers, maintenance workers, and station managers. As a result, the line is not deemed ready for service by July.
The extensive inspections and assessments required for the 19.7 km line, stretching from District 1’s Ben Thanh Market to Thu Duc City’s Long Thanh Depot, are anticipated to extend until the fourth quarter of this year.
The project, initiated in 2012, has faced numerous delays, contributing to rising costs exceeding VND43.7 trillion ($1.77 billion). Currently, Vietnam’s metro network boasts only one operational line, the Cat Linh – Ha Dong route in Hanoi.
Despite setbacks, anticipation remains high for the capital’s second line, the Nhon-Hanoi Station, scheduled to commence operations on the elevated section in July.
Tan Son Nhat International Airport’s T3 nearing early completion
Following Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh’s directive to expedite the progress during an on-site inspection on February 12, contractors were directed to reschedule work progress and mobilize vehicles, equipment, and human resources.
The eagerly awaited T3 domestic terminal at Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City is on track to be completed two months ahead of schedule. The terminal’s early completion will coincide with the Reunification Day holiday on April 30, offering a timely boost to the city’s transportation infrastructure.
Under the leadership of Le Khac Hong, the head of the project management board, efforts to expedite construction have been intensified. With a collective determination from investors and contractors to meet the accelerated timeline, over 400 motorized vehicles and nearly 2,000 engineers and workers have been mobilized.
As a result, 80% of the workload is already complete, with the construction of various components progressing according to plan.
Spanning an impressive 112,500 sq.m., the terminal is designed to accommodate up to 20 million passengers annually. Its completion is expected to double Tan Son Nhat’s operational capacity, providing much-needed relief from the current congestion plaguing the airport and its surroundings.
The early completion of the T3 terminal reflects a significant milestone in the development of Ho Chi Minh City’s transportation infrastructure, promising enhanced efficiency and convenience for travelers.