Ben Thanh - Can Gio Metro: Proposal to underground 5km into the center

The new proposal is to connect the metro line to Can Gio directly with Ben Thanh central station, including 5km underground to increase efficiency and create a synchronous network.

Proposal to adjust the starting point of the metro line to Ben Thanh station

VinSpeed ​​High-Speed ​​Railway Investment and Development Joint Stock Company (under Vingroup ) has sent a dispatch to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, proposing to adjust the direction of the metro line connecting the city center with Can Gio district. Instead of starting at Tan Thuan ward (District 7) as in the old plan, the company proposed to extend the line and set the starting point in the area in front of Ben Thanh market (District 1).

This change is to overcome the connection difficulties of the old plan and ensure synchronous connection with the entire urban railway network of the city. According to the new proposal, the metro line will be extended by nearly 5km compared to the original plan.

The metro route connecting the center of Ho Chi Minh City to Can Gio is planned. Graphics: Hoang Thanh

Technical solutions and strategic benefits

To reduce the cost of site clearance for the extension from Tan Thuan to Ben Thanh, VinSpeed ​​proposed an underground construction option for this section. The remaining part of the route, from Tan Thuan to Can Gio, will still be built above ground as originally planned.

According to the old plan, the metro line is about 48.5 km long, elevated, has two stations (Tan Thuan, Can Gio) and one depot. The maximum design speed of the line is 350 km/h.

Adjusting the starting point to Ben Thanh central station is considered a strategic move. It not only helps the railway line to Can Gio connect directly with Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) but also connects with future metro lines such as Lines 2, 3A and 4. This will create a seamless public transport network, convenient for passenger transfer and optimize investment efficiency of the entire project.

The role of Ben Thanh central station

Ben Thanh Station is planned to be the central station of the entire urban railway system in Ho Chi Minh City. This is the convergence point of important metro lines, playing the role of a vital traffic hub of the city in the future.

Ben Thanh underground station area in the center of Ho Chi Minh City. Photo: Giang Anh

In addition to the completed Metro Line 1, Ben Thanh Station will be the connection point of the following routes:

• Metro Line 2: Tham Luong - Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem
• Metro Line 3A: Ben Thanh - Tan Kien
• Metro Line 4: Dong Thanh - Tan Son Nhat Airport - Ben Thanh - Hiep Phuoc

Response from city leaders

Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee Nguyen Van Duoc expressed his support for Vingroup's proposal. He asked the company to continue researching the development of underground space combined with public space in the Ben Thanh market area according to the planning. The city's leaders also requested that the project's route must ensure feasibility, optimize exploitation efficiency and contribute to promoting socio -economic development for Can Gio in particular and Ho Chi Minh City in general.

Currently, the connection from Can Gio, an area about 50km from the city center, mainly depends on Binh Khanh ferry. The formation of a modern metro line is expected to create a big boost for the development of this island district.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/metro-ben-thanh-can-gio-de-xuat-ngam-hoa-5km-vao-trung-tam-398792.html