Ho Chi Minh City: Urban development along the Ben Thanh

*Map of urban railway (metro) routes in Ho Chi Minh City and perspective view of Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong)*

The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City has just issued Decision No. 3065/UBND on the plan for implementing Transport-Oriented Development (TOD) urban development areas along Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong).

The plan aims to implement the plan for organizing the preparation, appraisal, and approval of urban development area plans oriented towards public transport development, in accordance with Resolution No. 98/2023/QH15 dated June 24, 2023, of the National Assembly on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the development of Ho Chi Minh City, and Resolution No. 188/2025/QH15 dated February 19, 2025, of the National Assembly on piloting some specific mechanisms and policies for the development of the urban railway network system in Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

Simultaneously, it creates momentum for economic development through the process of assessing the current situation and planning, adjusting plans, land acquisition, implementing resettlement, and creating land funds for piloting projects to renovate and upgrade urban areas, invest in urban development, commerce, and services... in accordance with the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) development orientation.

*Truong Chinh Street (the section passing through the former Tan Binh district) where Metro Line 2 will run. Photo: Quang Phuong*

The plan will involve organizing the planning of TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) zones focusing on the areas surrounding the 12 stations of Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong), from Ben Thanh central station to Tham Luong Depot.

The boundaries of the TOD area, including the station, depot, and surrounding area, are defined to the boundaries of land parcels located within a radius of 1,000m from the conventional center of the station or depot. If, during the determination of the TOD area boundaries, a land parcel has a portion of its area within a radius of 1,000m from the conventional center of the station or depot, the People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City will consider and decide whether to define the boundary of the entire land parcel or a portion of the land parcel within the TOD area.

The location, boundaries, and area of TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) zones are determined based on planning review reports approved by the competent authority.

*Map of Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong) and locations of stations and depots.*

According to the plan, priority areas for studying local adjustments to the TOD planning for pilot implementation include: Tham Luong Depot (related to the land fund of Tham Luong Depot area), Pham Van Bach station, Tan Binh station (related to the clean land fund in block I/82A (26ha, Tay Thanh)), Bay Hien station (related to the land fund of the Exhibition and Sports Center (5.1ha, Tan Binh)), Ben Thanh station, and then the remaining areas will be implemented.

The plan will focus on the following key areas: Preparing a planning review report, determining the legal status of land, the current state of technical and social infrastructure, proposing the boundaries for the TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) area planning, and the urban development functions of each area. Preparing, appraising, and approving the outline and cost estimates for the TOD area planning. Organizing the selection of planning consultants. Organizing the preparation, gathering feedback from the community and relevant units, appraising, and submitting the TOD area planning projects for approval. The implementation period for these activities will extend from December 2025 to August 2026.

*Construction site (underground section) of Metro Line 2*

The People's Committee of Ho Chi Minh City requires that the implementation of planning for TOD (Transit-Oriented Development) areas comply with Resolution No. 38/2025/NQ-HĐND dated August 28, 2025, of the City People's Council, which stipulates the preparation, appraisal, approval, and adjustment of urban development area planning based on public transport orientation in the city.

Simultaneously, research should be conducted on planning solutions, investment in urban renovation, upgrading, and development, using urban railway connection points as focal points for residential areas, commercial services, and offices within walking distance of public transport to improve land use efficiency, public facilities, public health, reduce private motorized vehicles, reduce environmental pollution emissions, and combine this with the preservation and promotion of cultural values.

Source: https://daibieunhandan.vn/tp-ho-chi-minh-phat-develop-urban-city-along-the-ben-thanh-tham-luong-metro-line-10400076.html