Brian Jeffrey
The district plans to finalize the project’s scope and budget by the end of the first quarter, with a detailed land recovery and usage strategy expected to be submitted for approval in the third quarter.
By the fourth quarter, the Department of Agriculture and Environment will handle resettlement compensation, conduct investor selection via auction, and kick off construction, marking a pivotal move toward a sustainable urban landscape.
Metro Line No 2
Construction on Metro Line No 2 is slated to commence in December as part of a broader effort to expand the city’s metro network to 335 kilometers over the next ten years.
The Department of Transport aims to finalize the technical design and feasibility study by mid-year, following the National Assembly’s approval of Resolution 188 to accelerate this initiative.
The feasibility study is projected to receive approval in September, paving the way for contractor selection and the start of construction in December.
With an investment totaling nearly VNĐ47.9 trillion ($2 billion), this 11-kilometer line will include 9.2 kilometers of underground track and serve six districts, linking the city center to the northwest.
Initially expected to rely on external funding, the city has now decided to finance the project through its own budget. Most of the necessary land clearance has been completed, and infrastructure relocations are currently proceeding.
As part of a larger initiative to develop 355 kilometers of urban railways, three transit-oriented development (TOD) zones have been identified along Metro Line No 2, covering 5.1 hectares in Tân Bình, 26 hectares in Tân Phú, and nearly 41 hectares between District 10 and Tân Bình.
Experts have stressed the importance of TOD in managing urban growth, alleviating congestion, and fostering economic development.
The first metro line in the city, the Bến Thành Market to Suối Tiên line, commenced operations on December 22, 2024, after experiencing multiple delays, and has already accommodated over 4.5 million passengers.
Vietnam is known for its heavy motorbike usage, especially in major cities like Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi, both of which are currently grappling with increasing traffic congestion.
The metro system is anticipated to alleviate this issue, promoting the adoption of public transportation. — VNS
