Transport systems, including metros, urgently needed to link Ho Chi Minh City with neighboring Binh Duong, Ba Ria-Vung Tau

The development of transport infrastructure, including metro lines, coastal roads, sea-crossing bridges and others, are needed to connect Ho Chi Minh City and neighboring Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau Provinces if the three localities merge.

After years of anticipation, Binh Duong authorities have completed the pre-feasibility report for a metro line stretching from Suoi Tien Coach Station to Binh Duong New City.

According to the pre-feasibility report, the metro line in Binh Duong Province will start at Station S1 in the center of Binh Duong New City in Hoa Phu Ward, Thu Dau Mot City and end at Suoi Tien Coach Station, which is part of Ho Chi Minh City’s metro line No. 1, in Binh Thang Ward, Di An City, Binh Duong. 

The line is planned to be some 32.43 kilometers long, passing through four cities in Binh Duong: Tan Uyen, Thu Dau Mot, Thuan An, and Di An.

Regarding the funding, Binh Duong Province has considered public investment and public-private partnership.

However, it was found that developing the project under a public-private partnership would not be effective. 

Therefore, Binh Duong decided to allocate VND64.37 trillion (US$2.5 billion) from its budget to implement the project.

The province plans to propose special mechanisms and policies, including 25 policies under the authority of the National Assembly related to capital mobilization, capital allocation, investment preparation, project implementation, as well as transit-oriented development. 

Additionally, there are three policies under the government’s jurisdiction, including land acquisition, workforce training, and contract management.

Experts assessed that Ho Chi Minh City, Ba Ria-Vung Tau, and Binh Duong are neighboring localities that could merge to complement each other in terms of area and population, potentially creating the strongest locality in the country in terms of economy and other aspects.

Currently, most neighboring provinces have direct road connections with Ho Chi Minh City, except for Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

To reach Ba Ria-Vung Tau, residents must take a detour via Nhon Trach, Bien Hoa, and Long Thanh in Dong Nai Province, with an average travel time of two to three hours, depending on traffic conditions.

For road connections, many readers believe it is necessary to invest in a coastal road linking the Mekong Delta with Ho Chi Minh City and Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

The plan to build a 10km sea bridge connecting Can Gio District in Ho Chi Minh City with Ba Ria-Vung Tau needs to be developed early.

Some readers also suggested that if Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Duong, and Ba Ria-Vung Tau merge, the addition of Nhon Trach District in Dong Nai Province should be considered to ensure a seamless public transportation system from the city to Ba Ria-Vung Tau.

The Ministry of Construction has proposed assigning Ho Chi Minh City to take charge of the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh railway project.

If the three localities merge, authorities will also need to study more metro lines and other means of transport to connect areas and economic centers.

In February 2025, the National Assembly passed Resolution 188, providing breakthroughs that would help Ho Chi Minh City and Hanoi quickly execute metro line projects.

If Binh Duong merges with Ho Chi Minh City, the extended metro line that Binh Duong Province is implementing could be proposed for inclusion in the list of projects entitled to Resolution 188.

By Thanh Ha & Duc Phu & Ba Son – Tuoi Tre News – March 25, 2025