Ho Chi Minh City officially commenced construction on four key infrastructure projects on January 15. Among them, Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong) stands out as the only project funded entirely by public investment and the first to pioneer special mechanisms under Resolution 188.
The Metro Line 2 is identified as a vital radial axis in the local urban railway system, connecting the city center with the northwestern districts. The line starts at Ben Thanh Station, which will serve as a future central transit hub for the entire metro network.
Speaking at the ceremony, Vice Chairman of the City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong emphasized that the commencement of Metro Line 2 at this stage is of particular significance as several favorable conditions have converged. Notably, site clearance has been completed, and project funding has transitioned to the city budget, with full allocation secured in the 2026–2030 medium-term plan.
As a large-scale project with high technical requirements passing through densely populated urban areas, Metro Line 2 is the pioneer in applying specific policies under Resolution 188/2025/QH15. This mechanism is designed to remove bottlenecks in investment procedures, capital sourcing, design standards, and contractor selection. It further aims to link transportation development with urban spatial reorganization under the Transit-Oriented Development (TOD) model.
In its first phase, the line will span approximately 11.3 km, consisting of 9.3 km of underground tracks and 2 km of elevated sections. The project includes 10 underground stations, one elevated station, and one depot. Funded by the city's public investment budget, the project has a total investment of approximately VND55.179 trillion ($2.1 billion) and is scheduled for completion in the fourth quarter of 2030.
According to Mr. Phan Cong Bang, Head of the Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), Metro Line 2 will utilize European-standard technology to ensure modernization, synchronization, and compatibility across the city's entire railway network.
The three other projects include the Phu My 2 Bridge, the Can Gio Bridge, and the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex.
The practice is part of a series of activities to welcome the 14th National Party Congress, affirming the strong political resolve of the City’s Party Committee, government, and citizens to complete a synchronous and modern infrastructure system.
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