Ho Chi Minh City plans 12 urban areas along metro line 2

The Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) plan will focus on the area within a 1km radius around the 12 stations of the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong metro line.

TOD development plan along Metro Line 2

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has issued a plan to implement transit-oriented urban development (TOD) areas along metro line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong). The goal of the plan is to create momentum for economic development through planning, planning adjustment, land acquisition and resettlement to create land funds for urban development and improvement projects.

The scope of the study will focus on the areas surrounding 12 stations of metro line 2, from Ben Thanh central station to Tham Luong Depot. The TOD area boundary is determined within a 1 km radius from the conventional center of each station and depot.

Ben Thanh Underground Station. (Photo: Navy).

Priority areas for research and adjustment of TOD planning for pilot implementation include Tham Luong Depot, Pham Van Bach Station, Tan Binh Station, Bay Hien Station and Ben Thanh Station. The remaining areas will be implemented later.

Implementation process

The job involves several stages:

• Prepare a planning review report, determining the legal status of the land and the current state of infrastructure.
• Propose boundaries and urban development functions for each TOD area.
• Prepare, review and approve outlines and cost estimates.
• The organization selects a consulting firm to prepare the planning document.
• Gather feedback from the local community and relevant organizations.
• Review and submit for approval the planning projects for TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) areas.

Planning solutions aim to take urban railway traffic connection points as centers of residential, commercial and office concentration, in order to improve land use efficiency.

Detailed information on Metro Line 2

Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong) was first approved in 2010 with a total capital of more than VND26,116 billion. By 2019, the project was adjusted to VND47,891 billion, mainly using ODA loans. However, in March this year, the Standing Committee of the Ho Chi Minh City Party Committee agreed to transfer all ODA loans to the city budget to be more proactive in progress.

According to the latest report from the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR), the total proposed investment is VND 52,047 billion after updating actual volumes and unit prices.

Scaling and Connectivity

Along with the change in funding source, MAUR also proposed adjusting the route scale to enhance connectivity:

• Adding a connection section to Metro Line 1 at Ben Thanh Station.
• Expand the facilities within the Tham Luong Depot to connect with the future Metro Line 6.

According to the new plan, the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong metro line will be more than 11 km long, an increase of more than 200 m. Of which, more than 9 km will be underground and the rest will be elevated. The entire line includes 10 underground stations (including Ben Thanh station), 1 elevated station and 1 depot at Tham Luong.

The Metro Line 2 project is expected to commence on January 15, 2026, and aims for completion and operation between 2028 and 2030.

Source: https://baolamdong.vn/tphcm-lap-quy-hoach-12-khu-do-thi-doc-tuyen-metro-so-2-409356.html