Metro crowds signal new rhythm for old habit in Ho Chi Minh City

Workers in Vietnam are enjoying a five-day break from April 30 to May 4 in celebration of the country's 50th Reunification Day (April 30) and International Workers' Day (May 1).

Instead of the usual image of commuters stuck in congested streets heading home or out for leisure during the holiday, thousands opted for the first metro line, which started operations in December last year.

Stations such as Ben Thanh, Opera House, and Ba Son have been packed with travelers, marking a new chapter in the city’s transportation habits.

Holiday outings remain a tradition, but for many passengers, the experience has been transformed.

The metro offers a cleaner, quieter, and more civilized mode of travel, free from the din of traffic and air pollution.

On April 30, when the grand military parade shut down or restricted traffic in parts of downtown Ho Chi Minh City, metro ridership surged further.

Huynh My Phuong, a resident of Binh Thanh District, who took the train from Tan Cang Station with her two children, shared that they boarded early, stopped at Ben Thanh Station, and then strolled along the pedestrian street in downtown Ho Chi Minh City.

“It’s a much more relaxed way to enjoy the day. The kids don’t have to face the smoke and crowds,” she said.

Nguyen Van Thang, hailing from Thu Duc City, said that the metro is no longer a novelty.

“The metro is quickly becoming a serious option for getting around,” he said.

“People are choosing to park their vehicles at the stations and ride the metro trains,” he added.

Metro stations become busier and more vibrant, with surrounding shops and eateries benefiting from the foot traffic.

A representative of Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited, which operates the line, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper on Saturday that the metro recorded nearly 292,700 rides during the three-day period of the holiday from April 30 to May 2, over 219 percent above the forecast.

Particularly, the metro, which runs from Ben Thanh Station in District 1 to Suoi Tien Coach Station in Thu Duc City, served 117,550 riders on April 30.

To accommodate the surge during the holiday, the operator decided to increase service to 240 trips per day, extend daily operations until 11:00 pm, and offer free rides.