Ho Chi Minh City proposes raising 2nd metro line budget to $2B
Ho Chi Minh City’s long-stalled Ben Thanh–Tham Luong metro line is moving toward an overhaul, with officials proposing to lift its total investment to VND52.047 trillion (US$1.98 billion), up from VND47.89 trillion, to support expanded construction, updated technology and rising costs.
The proposal appears in a revised plan for Metro Line 2 submitted by the Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) after the city decided to shift the project’s financing from ODA loans to its own budget.
Along with the nearly 9% funding change, MAUR wants to enlarge the project scope, including a new link to Metro Line 1 at Ben Thanh Station and expanded facilities inside the Tham Luong depot.
The additions are designed to keep the route fully compatible with future lines such as Metro Line 6, the proposed connection between Tan Son Nhat Airport and Long Thanh Airport, the latter 40 km away in Dong Nai Province.
Under the updated design, the Ben Thanh–Tham Luong line will stretch 11.269 km, slightly longer than before, with 9.255 km underground. It will have 10 underground stations, one elevated station and a single depot. The city also wants to upgrade the system to handle much higher demand: peak-hour passenger volumes could exceed 11,800 people per direction by 2030, 28,500 by 2040 and 40,500 by 2060. The initial 14 three-car trains would gradually increase to 16 and then 22 six-car trains.
A major technical change is the switch from a third-rail power system to overhead electrification, mirroring Metro Line 1 to reduce safety risks. Regenerative braking will also be added to capture energy and cut electricity use.
Updated costs include VND5.096 trillion for land clearance and more than VND28.8 trillion for construction and equipment, with the remainder covering consulting, contingencies, taxes and project management.
Approved back in 2010 as a key mass-transit corridor linking downtown HCMC with the northwest gateway, Metro Line 2 has faced repeated setbacks over funding, procedures and land clearance, leaving construction still unstarted. The latest plan schedules groundbreaking for Jan. 15, 2026, with completion targeted for 2030.
By Giang Anh – VnExpress.net – November 18, 2025