12 metro lines, 600+ km — HCMC urban-rail blueprint

Following the successful build-out of Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien), Ho Chi Minh City is studying an extension of the line to Binh Chanh while simultaneously advancing plans for 11 additional metro lines spanning more than 600 km in total, according to TPO. The lines will densely connect residential districts and new urban areas across the city, including segments reaching out to suburban districts such as Can Gio and Cu Chi.

The Ho Chi Minh City Master Plan for 2021-2030 (with a vision to 2050) explicitly sets out a metro-centric approach, using the TOD (transit-oriented development) model to form and expand urban areas. At the same time, strengthening connectivity with the southeastern region and building a modern urban-rail network linking integrated centers, satellite cities and industrial parks stands as another key objective.

In addition, Ho Chi Minh City will concurrently develop the supporting industries that underpin urban-rail operations, including railway-equipment manufacturing and the production of components and parts.

Ho Chi Minh City plans to build seven metro lines crossing the city center, two ring metro lines, one riverside LRT/tram line, and one MRT/LRT line connecting the reclaimed coastal tourism new city of Can Gio.

The details of the 12 planned urban-rail lines are as follows:

• Metro Line 1 — An Ha (Binh Chanh district) ↔ Long Binh depot (Thu Duc city) — total length 40.8 km. The 17.1 km Long Binh depot - Ben Thanh Market section is already in operation.
• Metro Line 2 — New City (Thu Duc city) ↔ Binh My depot (Cu Chi district) — 62.2 km.
• Metro Line 3 — An Ha (Binh Chanh) ↔ Hiep Binh Phuoc depot (Thu Duc city) — 45.8 km.
• Metro Line 4 — Dong Thanh (Hoc Mon district) ↔ Hiep Phuoc new city (Nha Be district) — 47.3 km.
• Metro Line 5 — Hong Long University City (Binh Chanh) ↔ Vinhomes Grand Park / Song Tac bus terminal (Thu Duc city) — 53.9 km.
• Metro Line 6 (inner ring line) — Thu Duc city - District 7 - Binh Chanh, etc. — 53.8 km.
• Metro Line 7 — New station (Binh Chanh) ↔ Long Binh depot (Thu Duc city) — 51.2 km.
• Metro Line 8 — Da Phuoc (Binh Chanh) ↔ Binh My (Cu Chi) — 42.8 km.
• Metro Line 9 — Binh Trieu station (Thu Duc city) ↔ An Ha depot (Binh Chanh) — 28.3 km.
• Metro Line 10 (outer ring line) — Thu Duc city - Nha Be - Binh Chanh - Hoc Mon — 83.9 km.
• Line 11 LRT/sightseeing tram — West Station (Binh Tan district) ↔ Cu Chi — 48.7 km.
• Line 12 MRT/LRT (Can Gio connection line) — District 7 ↔ Can Gio coastal reclaimed new city — 48.7 km.

In addition, Ho Chi Minh City's metro lines will interconnect with the rail-transit systems of neighboring provinces such as Dong Nai, Binh Duong, Long An and Tay Ninh, thereby driving economic development across the surrounding region.

Under the Ho Chi Minh City Master Plan for 2021-2030 (vision to 2050) approved by the Prime Minister, the city aims to establish the basic skeleton of its urban-rail transit by 2030 and to complete the entire metro network before 2050.