S.Korea supports Ho Chi Minh City in establishing metro operations, maintenance training center

Ho Chi Minh City has approved a nearly-VND7-billion (US$269,100) technical assistance project, funded by non-refundable official development assistance (ODA) from South Korea's Knowledge Sharing Program, to study the establishment of a metro operations and maintenance training center.

The project, managed by Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited -- the operator of metro line No. 1 -- will run through December 31, 2025.

The Export-Import Bank of Korea will directly administer the funding in accordance with the donor's regulations.

The objective of the project is to assist Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited in preparing policy consultation reports that comply with both the donors requirements and current Vietnamese laws.

These reports will serve as a foundation for submitting the project proposal to competent authorities for the approval of the construction and establishment of the metro operations and maintenance training center in Ho Chi Minh City.

The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has assigned Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited to receive and allocate the non-refundable ODA funds.

The company is also responsible for managing and utilizing the funds effectively, ensuring that they are used for their intended purposes and in compliance with government regulations on the management and use of ODA and concessional loans from foreign donors.

The company will coordinate closely with the donor to monitor, inspect, and supervise the project's implementation, strictly adhering to Vietnams current laws and the donors requirements, while ensuring the progress, quality, and objectives of the project.

Ho Chi Minh City plans to have 12 metro lines with a total length of 510 kilometers.

The citys first metro line, stretching 19.7 kilometers from Ben Thanh Station in District 1 to Suoi Tien Coach Station in Thu Duc City, officially began operations on December 22 last year, marking a historic milestone in the development of urban transport for Ho Chi Minh City after 12 years of construction.

In line with the lawmaking National Assembly's Resolution 188 on piloting special mechanisms and policies for the development of the metro network, the city is carrying out procedures for public investment in seven metro lines totaling 355 kilometers, expected to be completed by 2035.

In addition, a metro line connecting the city center to outlying Can Gio District and the Thu ThiemLong Thanh railway are being developed with private sector participation.

Following the planned administrative consolidation of neighboring Binh Duong and Ba RiaVung Tau Provinces into Ho Chi Minh City, the expanded metro network will reach nearly 1,000 kilometers in length.

Under provincial plans, Binh Duong will contribute 12 lines totaling approximately 305 kilometers, while Ba RiaVung Tau will have three lines covering 125 kilometers.

Thanh Ha - Duc Phu / Tuoi Tre News

(2025/06/11-18:06)