Ho Chi Minh City expands metro network and emphasizes TOD

Ho Chi Minh City is working to expand its urban rail network, with plans to reach 255km by 2030 and over 500km by 2035. The city is also considering a long-term network of approximately 1,540km by 2050, comprising metro lines and light rail transit (LRT).

Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) has served over 35 million passengers since its operation began, averaging 65,000 trips per day as of August 2026. While the line has become a familiar mode of transport, experts note that a single line cannot fundamentally transform urban traffic.

To ensure the success of the metro system and reduce reliance on motorbikes, experts emphasize the necessity of Transit-Oriented Development (TOD). This strategy involves concentrating housing, jobs, and services around stations to create a high ridership base. Without proper TOD planning, officials warn that metro systems may suffer from low ridership while road congestion remains high.