Ho Chi Minh City Celebrates its First-Ever Metro Line
A Historic Achievement for the City’s Urban Development
Thousands of selfie-taking Ho Chi Minh City residents crammed into train carriages today as the traffic-clogged business hub celebrated the opening of its first-ever metro line after years of delays. Huge queues spilled out of every station along the US$1.7 billion line that runs almost 20km from the city centre – with women in traditional “ao dai” dress, soldiers in uniform and couples clutching young children waiting excitedly to board.
A Long-Awaited Project
The project, funded largely by Japanese government loans, was first approved in 2007 and slated to cost just US$668 million. When construction began in 2012, authorities promised the line would be up and running in just five years. However, as delays mounted, cars and motorbikes multiplied in the city of 9 million people, making the metropolis hugely congested, increasingly polluted and time-consuming to navigate.
Overcoming Hurdles
The city’s deputy mayor Bui Xuan Cuong admitted that authorities had to overcome “countless hurdles” to get the project over the line. According to state media reports, the metro was late because of “slow capital disbursement, unexpected technical problems, personnel difficulties and the Covid-19 pandemic”.
Frustrating Delays
Professor Vu Minh Hoang at Fulbright University Vietnam warned that with just 14 station stops, the line’s “impact in alleviating traffic will be limited in the short run”. However, he added that it is still a “historic achievement for the city’s urban development”. With lessons learnt, “the construction of future lines will be increasingly easier, faster, and more cost-efficient”, Hoang told AFP.
A New Era for the City
The metro “meets the growing travel needs of residents and contributes to reducing traffic congestion and environmental pollution”, Cuong said. For 84-year-old war veteran Vu Thanh, the opening of the metro line is a chance to experience below ground in a more positive way. “It feels so different from the underground experience I had years ago during the war. It’s so bright and nice here,” he said.
Conclusion
The opening of Ho Chi Minh City’s first-ever metro line is a significant milestone in the city’s urban development. Despite the delays and cost overruns, the project has finally been completed, and it is expected to improve the city’s transportation infrastructure and reduce traffic congestion. As the city looks to the future, it is clear that the construction of future metro lines will be increasingly easier, faster, and more cost-efficient.
FAQs
Q: How long did it take to complete the metro line?
A: The project took 17 years to complete, from its initial approval in 2007 to its opening in 2024.
Q: What was the original cost of the project?
A: The original cost of the project was US$668 million, but it ended up costing US$1.7 billion due to delays and cost overruns.
Q: How many station stops does the metro line have?
A: The metro line has 14 station stops, which is expected to have a limited impact on alleviating traffic congestion in the short run.
Q: What is the purpose of the metro line?
A: The metro line is designed to meet the growing travel needs of residents and contribute to reducing traffic congestion and environmental pollution in the city.