Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 2: Proposal to increase capital to 52,000 billion VND

The Ben Thanh – Tham Luong Metro Project is proposed to increase capital due to additional connection items, technology updates and forecast of increased passenger traffic in the future.

Overview of Metro Line 2 project adjustments

The Management Board of Urban Railways (MAUR) has submitted to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee and the Department of Construction a report on the adjustment of the Metro Line 2 project (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong), proposing to increase the total investment from VND47,890 billion to VND52,047 billion. The main reasons for this adjustment include the addition of construction scale, updating new technology and price inflation.

Previously, Ho Chi Minh City had agreed to convert the project’s funding source from ODA loans to the city budget. This change was accompanied by important technical and scale adjustments to ensure consistency and long-term effectiveness.

The row of houses on the frontage of Cach Mang Thang Tam Street, Tan Binh District (old) has receded after the land was handed over to Metro Line 2. (Photo: Giang Anh).

Key changes in the new proposal

The adjustment plan includes many notable changes in scale, technology and operational forecast, aiming to optimize the efficiency of this vital metro line.

Scaling and cross-connection

According to the new proposal, the total length of the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong Metro line will be 11,269 km, an increase of more than 200 m compared to the original design. Of which, 9,255 km will be underground and the rest will be elevated with access roads to the depot. The project scale includes 10 underground stations (including Ben Thanh central station), one elevated station and one depot in Tham Luong (old District 12).

An important addition is the direct connection to Metro Line 1 at Ben Thanh Station and the expansion of items at Tham Luong Depot. This is to ensure synchronous connection with the future Metro Line 6 (connecting Tan Son Nhat Airport and Long Thanh Airport) as well as other urban railway lines.

Upgrade technology and number of trains

The train's power supply system will be changed from third-rail technology to an overhead power supply system. This solution is similar to Metro Line 1, helping to increase safety and synchronize technology between lines.

The new design also incorporates a system that recovers energy from the train’s braking process, helping to save operating energy. The number of trains has also been recalculated to meet the increased demand:

• First phase: 14 trains (3-car type).
• Next phase: Increase to 16 trains and then 22 trains (6-car type).

Passenger traffic forecast to increase

The design adjustments are based on updated passenger traffic calculations, with forecasts of significant increases in peak hour travel demand over the years:

• By 2030: More than 11,800 passengers per hour per direction.
• By 2040: More than 28,500 passengers per hour in each direction.
• By 2060: More than 40,500 passengers per hour in each direction.

New total investment structure

The total cost of VND 52,047 billion in the updated plan is allocated to the following main items:

Category	Cost (billion VND)
Compensation - Site clearance	5,096
Construction and equipment	28,800
Consulting, project management, reserve, tax	18,151

Expected deployment schedule

The Ben Thanh - Tham Luong Metro Project was first approved in 2010 with the expectation of creating a mass public transport axis, connecting the city center with the Northwest gateway. However, the project has encountered many obstacles in terms of capital, procedures and site clearance, leading to the failure to start construction.

Metro Line 2 route. (Graphic: Thanh Huyen).

According to the latest plan, the project is expected to start construction on January 15, 2026 and be completed in 2030. This is also the first project that Ho Chi Minh City plans to apply special mechanisms according to Resolution 188 of the National Assembly to speed up progress.

Note: Information on total investment and progress is proposed in the project adjustment report and may change during the approval and actual implementation process.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/metro-so-2-tphcm-de-xuat-tang-von-len-52000-ty-dong-403508.html