A look back at 1-year operation: How first metro line became part of Ho Chi Minh City life
After one year of operation, the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line, the first of its kind in Ho Chi Minh City, has gradually woven itself into the daily life of the southern metropolis.
What began as curiosity-driven trial rides has evolved into a new commuting habit for thousands of residents.
The first metro line was officially put into service on December 22, 2024, stretching nearly 20 kilometers, linking the Ben Thanh central area with the eastern part of the city, formerly Thu Duc City.
The line passes through riverfront areas, emerging financial and service hubs, and major destinations such as the Vietnam National University, Saigon High-Tech Park, and Suoi Tien Theme Park.
It has become a key transport spine.
Residents crowd Ben Thanh Metro Station in downtown Ho Chi Minh City on the first day of the first metro line’s operation, December 22, 2024.
After a year of its launch, the line has served nearly 19 million passengers, averaging more than 52,000 passengers per day, with peak days exceeding 110,000.
These figures demonstrated that metro line No. 1 is no longer just a point of interest, but an increasingly integral part of everyday urban routines.
Facilities inside train cars and at metro stations have also been progressively refined.
From electronic display boards and journey information to basic amenities and more flexible payment options, the metro offers a distinct and comfortable travel experience in a city where traffic congestion is a daily reality.
Behind each punctual train is a workforce of more than 700 staff members responsible for operations and maintenance, ensuring safety for tens of thousands of passengers every day.
The official operation of metro line No. 1 has also paved the way for the second metro link, whose investment procedures are being accelerated, with construction expected to begin on January 16, 2026.
Additional metro lines are set to follow, gradually expanding the urban rail network and extending the journey that the first metro line has begun.
Passengers queue for metro rides in Ho Chi Minh City.
Crowds of residents in Ho Chi Minh City experience the first metro rides, December 22, 2024.
Fares and operations
The first metro line features 14 stations, comprising three underground stations and 11 elevated ones.
As of December 15, the line had safely operated more than 78,000 train trips.
Single-journey fares range from VND6,000 (US$0.22) to VND20,000 ($0.75).
A day pass costs VND40,000 ($1.5), while a monthly pass is priced at VND300,000 ($11.4).
Discounted monthly passes for students are available at VND150,000 ($5.7), and priority groups are entitled to free travel.
Passengers can pay using cash, bank cards, e-wallets, QR codes, or via the HCMC Metro HURC mobile application.
Two months after its operation, Ho Chi Minh City held an inauguration ceremony for the first metro line, March 9, 2025.
Inside the Ben Thanh underground station, with light from the architectural ‘light well’ designed in the symbolic shape of a lotus flower
Passengers take a metro ride.
A train runs on the first metro line in Ho Chi Minh City.
Escalators, entrances and exits, and information boards have become familiar features, helping passengers gradually form the habit of traveling by metro.
Station facilities have gradually been improved to meet passengers’ basic needs, such as buying tickets and waiting for trains.
The metro connects with other modes of transportation, creating new transfer points within the city’s transit network. Notably, 17 electric bus routes, launched on December 21, 2024, serve to transport passengers to metro stations and other destinations.
Long Binh Depot
The surrounding area of Ben Thanh Metro Station, December 21, 2025. The station is the starting station of metro line No. 1, which stretches nearly 20 kilometers.
After one year, metro line No. 1 is shaping a new commuting habit for Ho Chi Minh City. Also, it is paving the way for the second metro line, expected to begin construction in January 2026, as well as for other future metro lines.
Tieu Bac - Chau Tuan / Tuoi Tre News