Ho Chi Minh City to open additional parking lots amid full capacity at metro stations

A department representative said metro line No. 1 has attracted a large number of passengers, leading to overcrowded parking lots and difficulties for riders trying to find available spaces.

Currently, the metro line has 10 parking lots at its stations with a combined area of about 4,500 square meters, along with five private lots near the Van Thanh, Thao Dien, Rach Chiec, Phuoc Long, and Binh Thai stations totaling roughly 5,472 square meters. 

In addition, there are two public parking areas for buses and taxis covering 3,260 square meters.

However, as demand for metro use continues to rise, some stations such as Thu Duc, High-Tech Park, Vietnam National University, and Suoi Tien frequently experience shortages of parking spaces.

The department has instructed relevant units to coordinate with local wards to survey nearby areas, identify potential parking sites, and inform residents to prevent the further overloading of station lots. 

Officials are also working with private partners to propose plans for expanding or building new parking facilities and will submit their recommendations to the People's Committee for approval.

Many parking lots at metro stations are often filled to capacity, forcing passengers to park at informal, privately run lots that charge higher fees. 

Small lots operated by residents have appeared near several stations, charging about VND10,000 (US$0.4) per visit, compared to the official rate of VND4,000 ($0.15). 

These lots typically cover just a few dozen square meters, holding as many as 30 vehicles, with limited safety measures in place.

To ease congestion, the Department of Construction suggested using space beneath bridges for parking or sports areas, provided such use complies with safety and planning regulations.

The department also proposed that the Ministry of Construction report to the National Assembly and the government on revising rules to allow provincial People's Committees to authorize the use of bridge underpasses for public purposes.

The Ministry of Construction is currently reviewing this proposal. 

According to the department, all official parking lots along metro line No. 1 were built under approved plans, meet fire safety standards, and are managed by the Voluntary Youth Public Benefit Service Company Limited, which conducts regular inspections to ensure compliance.