Ho Chi Minh City residents, visitors eager to explore shopping mall connected to metro station

The underground Opera House station was connected with the basement level of Union Square on July 7, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited (HURC1), the operator of the metro line.

The area around the station was crowded with people on Sunday afternoon.

It was not just commuters riding the metro, but many locals and tourists were also drawn by curiosity to explore the newly linked shopping mall.

Stepping off the train, passengers can now walk straight into the mall to shop, dine, or relax, shielded from the city’s unpredictable weather.

“This is the first time I have ridden the metro,” said Bich Uyen, 23, a resident of An Khanh Ward in Ho Chi Minh City.

"I was amazed to discover I could enter the shopping mall directly from the station.

“It’s cool, clean, and very convenient. 

"I’ve already recommended it to friends."

An Khanh Ward was formed by merging former An Khanh, An Loi Dong, Thao Dien, Thu Thiem Wards and part of former An Phu Ward under former Thu Duc City after the national administrative merging policy took effect on July 1.

Many older people and foreigners were also impressed by the connection.

Nguyen Thi Bich, 57, took her first metro ride with her daughter and shared that she was a bit nervous at first, but once they arrived and saw the underground mall, she was thrilled.

“The city feels so modern now,” she expressed her delight.

Union Square sits at a prime location near Vincom Le Thanh Ton, and several landmarks in the heart of the city.

The direct connection to Opera House Metro Station makes it an ideal stop for both metro passengers and pedestrians.

In addition to the subterranean link, shoppers can also access Union Square via elevators from street level.

This integration was just the beginning of a broader vision for metro line No. 1.

Several stations will feature pedestrian corridors linking directly to nearby buildings.

Ben Thanh Station is planned to have six connections, while Ba Son Station is expected to be linked to Marina Central Tower via two dedicated passages.

Metro line No. 1, stretching 19.7 kilometers from downtown Ho Chi Minh City to Suoi Tien Coach Station in the Thu Duc area, officially began operations on December 22 last year, marking a historic milestone in the development of urban transport for the city after 12 years of construction.