Ho Chi Minh City Metro Opens – A Turning Point in Urban Transportation as Seen Through On-the-Ground Use

Ho Chi Minh City opens subway

In December 2024, Vietnam's first urban rail system (MRT) opened in Ho Chi Minh City.

With the emergence of new public transportation infrastructure in addition to public buses, cars, and motorcycles, which have traditionally been the main modes of transport, urban mobility is undergoing a major transformation.

Ho Chi Minh City, with a population of approximately 1,000 million, faces chronic traffic congestion, and the development of urban rail infrastructure is expected to not only improve transportation but also serve as a foundation for urban development and economic activity.

* [Related News]Vietnam's first subway opens in Ho Chi Minh City, 10 years behind schedule.(CNN)

I actually tried it out.

This time, I actually used the train for the six-station section from Ben Thanh Market Station to Thao Dien Station.

Thao Dien is home to an international school and is a quiet residential area popular with Westerners. Recently, there have also been many Korean restaurants and cafes, so this time I headed to Thao Dien with the purpose of visiting cafes.

Traveling this distance by car can take around 30 minutes due to traffic, but using the subway, I arrived in about 15 minutes. The trains run approximately every 10 minutes, which is also impressive as it makes it easy to predict the travel time.

The ticket gates support contactless payment; you can pass through simply by holding your Apple Pay-compatible iPhone over the reader. You can also pass through the gates using a credit card with IC card functionality.

On the other hand, because credit card penetration is not yet high in the area, many passengers were seen purchasing tickets with cash from ticket vending machines.

This subway system was constructed using Japanese Official Development Assistance (ODA), with Japanese construction companies playing a central role in its development. As a result, the station entrances and interior designs resemble those of Japanese urban railways, giving it a familiar feel despite being in a foreign city.

Urban infrastructure and remaining challenges

On the other hand, there are still challenges in developing urban transportation. There is much room for improvement when considering transportation throughout the entire metropolitan area, such as the access infrastructure to the planned Long Thanh International Airport and the transportation network to the Binh Duong Industrial Park, which is located away from the center of Ho Chi Minh City.

Nevertheless, riding the subway gives you a real sense that Ho Chi Minh City is moving on to the next stage.

Summary

Developing urban infrastructure is not simply about increasing transportation options. It also leads to the expansion of various businesses, including urban development around train stations, commercial facilities, IT systems, and the utilization of transportation data.

In fact, Japanese companies are involved in many aspects of the Ho Chi Minh City subway project, including the railway system, rolling stock, and construction. Developing infrastructure that supports urban growth simultaneously creates new business opportunities.

The cityscape visible from the subway window may symbolize the future expansion of cooperation between Vietnamese and Japanese companies.