HCMC's first metro line must complete in early Sept: Prime Minister
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has required the construction of Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line to be finished by September 2 this year - the National Day and four months ahead of the schedule.
The PM took a test run on the metro route on Saturday afternoon to check over its operation. He asked all agencies and units involved in the construction to make more efforts toward the new completion timeline.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh (first, right) checks over the operation of a trial train on HCMC's first metro line on April 15, 2023. Photo courtesy of the government portal.
To date, more than 94.6% of work in the major project has been completed, according to the HCMC Urban Railway Management Board’s (MAUR) latest report.
The HCMC People’s Committee, in a recent decision prior to the PM’s new request, had set this year’s fourth quarter as completion timeline. Commercial operations would follow when all conditions allow, it had said.
A trial train runs on HCMC’s first metro line on April 15, 2023. Photo courtesy of Youth newspaper.
The 19.7-kilometer metro line will run from Ben Thanh Hub in District 1 to Suoi Tien Depot in Thu Duc city on HCMC’s outskirts. The total investment is VND43,700 billion, equal to around $1.89 billion, sourced from Japanese official development assistance (ODA) and Vietnamese counterpart funds.
Work began on the metro line in 2008. The project has missed several deadlines.
The first metro line is designed to have three underground and 11 elevated stations. It will have 17 Japanese-made trains, able to carry 930 passengers each. The trains can travel up to 110 kilometers per hour above ground and 80 kph underground.
- Related News
- Read More
Japan’s Sumitomo eyes LNG power plant in central Vietnam
Sumitomo Corporation is exploring the development of an LNG-to-power plant in Vietnam’s central coastal province of Khanh Hoa, part of its push into the country’s new energy sector.
Energy - Sun, August 10, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Brazilian meatpacker JBS to build 2 plants in Vietnam
Brazilian meat giant JBS S.A. will invest in two export-oriented food processing plants in Vietnam following a plan first announced in March.
Investing - Sun, August 10, 2025 | 12:28 am GMT+7
Vietnam's benchmark VN-Index likely to reach 1,800 points next year: broker
Despite potential short-term volatility from increased profit-taking pressure following a high-margin phase in late July, Vietnam’s benchmark VN-Index is expected to reach the 1,750-1,800 point range in 2026, according to leading broker Saigon Securities (SSI).
Finance - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 6:22 pm GMT+7
Mobile World to list mobile phone, electronic home appliance chains by 2030
Mobile World Investment Corporation (MWG), a leading retailer in Vietnam, plans to conduct an IPO of and list its core retail chains The Gioi Di Dong (mobile phones) and Dien May Xanh (electric and electronic home appliances) by 2030.
Companies - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 6:04 pm GMT+7
Vietnam officially grants visa-free entry to high-profile foreigners
The Vietnamese Government has introduced a limited-term visa waiver scheme for foreign nationals who are "prioritized for the sake of the country’s socio-economic development".
Politics - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 11:32 am GMT+7
VinEnergo launches rooftop solar, battery storage projects in central Vietnam
VinEnergo Energy Joint Stock Company has signed MoUs to install rooftop solar power systems integrated with battery energy storage systems (BESS) with the VinFast automobile plant and two battery factories in the central province of Ha Tinh.
Companies - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:21 am GMT+7
Indonesia doubles lithium imports to boost EV battery production
Indonesia is accelerating plans to increase lithium imports, particularly from Australia, in a bid to fill gaps in the electric vehicle (EV) battery supply chain and realize its ambition of becoming a global EV manufacturing hub.
Southeast Asia - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:18 am GMT+7
Optimism rises for Thailand’s economy after US tariff cut
Thailand’s private sector has lifted its 2025 GDP growth forecast to 1.8-2.2%, up from the previous 1.5-2%, following the U.S. decision to reduce import tariffs on Thai goods from 36% to 19%.
Southeast Asia - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:16 am GMT+7
Foreign investors make up 4.27% of Vietnamese G-bonds trading value in July
Foreign investors accounted for 4.27% of the total trading value of Vietnamese government bonds (G-bonds) in July, with net buying at VND298 billion (nearly 11.4 million).
Finance - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 10:08 am GMT+7
Vietnam developer Taseco Land plans private share placement following HCMC bourse debut
Shortly after its listing on the Ho Chi Minh Stock Exchange (HoSE) as TAL, Taseco Land, a subsidiary of Vietnam’s conglomerate Taseco Group, is seeking shareholder approval for a private share placement targeted at professional investors.
Companies - Sat, August 9, 2025 | 8:00 am GMT+7
Vietnam aims to finalize negotiations for Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant by August
The Vietnamese government targets completing negotiations for Ninh Thuan 1 nuclear power plant in former Ninh Thuan province (now Khanh Hoa) by August 2025, and for Ninh Thuan 2 by May 2026 at the latest.
Energy - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 4:18 pm GMT+7
Software giant SAP invests $175 ml in R&D center in Vietnam
German software heavyweight SAP has officially launched a research & development center in Vietnam, with plans to invest more than €150 million ($175 million) over the next five years.
Industries - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 3:43 pm GMT+7
Carlsberg’s Phu Bai Brewery expansion in central Vietnam set to start brewing late this month
The expansion of Carlsberg’s brewery in Hue city, central Vietnam, with an investment of nearly $90 million, has entered trial runs and is scheduled to be inaugurated and begin full-scale production in late August.
Industries - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 2:43 pm GMT+7
Indonesia promotes nickel-based EV battery production
Indonesia is advocating regulations to encourage electric vehicle (EV) manufacturers to switch from the commonly used lithium-based batteries to nickel-based ones.
Southeast Asia - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 1:54 pm GMT+7
BRICS countries account for over 35% of Malaysia’s total foreign trade turnover
Malaysia’s trade with BRICS nations climbed to RM818 billion ($193.47 billion) in 2024, making up 35.2% of the country’s total global trade, according to the Ministry of Investment, Trade and Industry (MITI).
Southeast Asia - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 1:52 pm GMT+7
Vietnam consumer finance major F88’s stock hits ceiling price on UPCoM debut
The stock of F88 Investment JSC (F88), a leading consumer finance company in Vietnam, hit its ceiling price of VND888,800 ($34) on Friday, the first day of trading on the Unlisted Public Companies Market (UPCoM).
Companies - Fri, August 8, 2025 | 1:32 pm GMT+7
