Ho Chi Minh City Metro offers free rides during Tet (Lunar New Year).

During the New Year and Lunar New Year holidays in 2026, residents of Ho Chi Minh City will receive free tickets on Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien.

The Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line 1 has received widespread public support - Photo: CHAU TUAN

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has just approved the policy of providing financial support for the operation of metro line 1 to serve people free of charge during the two upcoming major Tet holidays.

The Metro Line 1 Company Limited (the operating unit) is collaborating with Hoa Sen Advertising and Trading Joint Stock Company to organize a sponsorship program to provide free rides for people on Metro Line 1 on January 1, 2026 (New Year's Day) and February 16 and 17, 2026 (29th day of the 12th lunar month and 1st day of the Lunar New Year).

The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has assigned the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Company No. 1 to proactively coordinate with the Ho Chi Minh City Public Transport Management Center and relevant units to comply with regulations. At the same time, they are to complete all legal procedures and incorporate all feedback from relevant departments and agencies.

Units such as the Department of Culture and Sports , the Department of Finance, the Department of Construction, and the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board are responsible for monitoring, guiding, inspecting, and reporting to the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee when difficulties arise.

To celebrate the 80th anniversary of Vietnam's National Day on September 2nd, Metro Line 1 is also offering 100% free fares for the public on that day.

On that day, people could board the train for free simply by scanning their chip-embedded citizen ID card at the gate or creating a "Unique" QR code on the HCMC Metro HURC app.

Six metro stations have stopped selling paper tickets and are now using fully automated payment systems.

From October 1st, 2025, the Metro Line 1 Company Limited will expand the pilot program to discontinue the sale of paper tickets at Tan Cang and Rach Chiec stations, bringing the total number of stations where paper ticket sales have stopped to six: City Theatre, Ba Son, Van Thanh Park, Phuoc Long, Tan Cang, and Rach Chiec.

Passengers can purchase tickets using cash at automated ticket vending machines (TVMs), by scanning bank cards or e-wallets at ticket kiosks, or by purchasing through the HCMC Metro HURC app.

Source: https://ttbc-hcm.gov.vn/metro-tp-hcm-mien-phi-dip-tet-1019725.html