HCMC to begin construction of Metro Line 2 in January 2026
VGP - Ho Chi Minh City is set to begin construction of Metro Line No. 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong) in January 2026, according to the municipal People’s Committee.
This is part of a plan announced by the municipal People’s Committee, targetting to ensure all necessary conditions for the early commencement of the project, accelerate investment progress, and contribute to completing the city's urban railway network in line with Resolution 188/2025/QH15. It also identifies key tasks and comprehensive implementation measures, calling for the utmost effort and coordination from all relevant agencies to achieve the project's objectives.
In July, the central government approved the city's proposal to use domestic funds instead of official development assistance (ODA) loans, a move designed to avoid further delays.
Contractors are currently racing to complete infrastructure relocation to meet the construction start deadline. Once operational, Metro Line 2 will connect with Metro Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) at Ben Thanh Station in District 1 and integrate with future transit lines, improving east–west mobility across the city center.
Earlier, the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), which oversees all metro projects in the city, approved a VND175 billion (US$6.6 million) bid by a consortium comprising Guangzhou Metro Design & Research Institute Co., Ltd. (China), Southern Transport Design Consultancy JSC, Port & Seafield Engineering Design Consulting JSC, and ARTELIA SAS.
Spanning 11.042 kilometers, Metro Line 2 will feature 10 stations — nine underground and one elevated — with a total investment of US$2.093 billion (approximately VND47.89 trillion). The line will run along major roads such as Truong Chinh and Cach Mang Thang Tam, ending at the underground Ben Thanh Station in the downtown area.
Ho Chi Minh City's first metro line, Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien, officially entered operation in December 2024, marking a significant step forward in the city's public transport development. Metro Line 2 is expected to build on that momentum, further enhancing connectivity and easing congestion in one of Southeast Asia's fastest-growing urban centers./.
