Ho Chi Minh City seeks UK expertise to implement transit-oriented development

The municipal People’s Committee organized the ‘Capacity Building Workshop on Implementing Transit-Oriented Development (TOD)’ and a ceremony to sign a memorandum of understanding between the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee and the Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office of the United Kingdom.

The memorandum of understanding marks a milestone in deepening collaboration between the two parties in urban planning, infrastructure development, and sustainable city building.

Member of the UK Parliament, UK Trade Envoy to Vietnam Matt Western praised Ho Chi Minh City for its bold urban transformation, particularly the development of metro lines and its ambitious TOD strategy.

“TOD is not just about railway lines or stations, but about building vibrant, connected communities where housing, jobs, and services are integrated through efficient public transit,” said Western.

He congratulated the city on the progress of metro line No. 1, which has already become integral to the daily lives of thousands since its commercial operations began late last year.

He also highlighted the UK’s readiness to share experience from complex infrastructure projects, such as London’s Elizabeth Line, to support Ho Chi Minh City’s development goals.

Speaking at the event, vice-chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong said that after being merged with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces, new Ho Chi Minh City now spans over 6,700 square kilometers and houses nearly 14 million people.

Under the national merger strategy, which took effect on July 1, the new Ho Chi Minh City was formed by merging the old city with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

With expanded geography and population, the city aims to become a regional megacity – a hub for finance, trade, logistics, hi-tech industry, and marine tourism.

He stressed the city's comprehensive multi-modal transport system, which includes road, rail, air, sea, and inland waterways, as a foundational element for this vision.

“In this context, urban and transport planning is the backbone of public transit," he said.

“TOD is our core strategy to build a connected, smart, and sustainable megacity."

The city plans to have 355 kilometers of urban rail in operation by 2035, in line with the National Assembly’s Resolution 188.

Notably, Resolution 38, which focuses on the development of TOD zones, is seen as a critical step toward solving transport bottlenecks, fostering trade, enhancing quality of life, and promoting green growth, he stated.

TOD implementation plan in three phases

Vo Tuan Thanh, deputy head of the PPP division under the Urban Development Management Authority of Ho Chi Minh City, presented the city’s detailed TOD strategy in three stages.

During the first phase (2025-30), the city will focus on metro line No. 1, metro line No. 2,  which will soon get off the ground, the extended Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem - Long Thanh metro line, and Ring Road 3.

This phase will serve as a testing ground to gather experience before expanding TOD to former Binh Duong Province to connect with the underway Long Thanh International Airport project.

During phase 2 (2030-45), the city will develop metro line No. 3, metro line No. 4, and metro line No. 6 to complete the internal metro network, extend metro line No. 2 further into former Binh Duong Province, and connect former Vung Tau and Long Thanh.

The aim is to form a fully integrated transit network linking new Ho Chi Minh City with neighboring areas.

During the third phase, the city will continue to expand and enhance the TOD network across the region.

Key TOD zones targeted in initial phase

In the first five years, Ho Chi Minh City will prioritize TOD development along metro line No. 1, metro line No. 2, and Ring Road 3.

Eleven key locations have been earmarked, including the C30 area, the surrounding area of Phuoc Long Metro Station, the coconut farm, the 29-hectare area in Long Binh Ward, Zone 8 in Tan Hiep, and areas around Tan Kien Metro Station.

Additional locations such as Tham Luong Depot will be added progressively.

For the TOD implementation, the city will develop detailed urban-station integration plans, ensure timely land clearance, establish a transparent financial mechanism through the Land Value Capture model, attract investment, and mandate affordable housing components within TOD zones.

UK expert urges early integration of TOD in planning

Ian Lindsay, TOD consultant from the UK’s Crossrail joint venture, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that Ho Chi Minh City has a prime opportunity to develop TOD with its first metro completed and metro line No. 2 soon to begin construction.

Every growing city eventually faces traffic overload, so mass transit, especially metro systems, becomes vital, he said.

He stressed that the early integration of TOD into city planning is one of the most critical success factors.