Line 2 HCMC Metro

Line 2 of the Ho Chi Minh City Metro (HCMC Metro) is the planned second line of the Ho Chi Minh City transit system.

Phase 1 will go from Ben Thanh Station (interchanging with Line 1) to Tan Binh. The total length is 11.3 km (9.3 km underground and 2 km elevated) with 11 stations (10 underground stations and 01 elevated station).

Work began in 2015 on an office building at the depot, but no work has begun on construction of the railway. The project has been delayed by slow land clearance, a lost consultant, and funding issues regarding loans.

Phase 2 will extend the line at both ends from Ben Thanh to Thu Thiem and Tan Binh to An Suong Bus Station (the bus terminal for Tay Ninh). The total length of the 2 sections is 9.1 km (including 4.2 km underground and 4.9 km elevated) with 9 stations (6 underground stations and 3 elevated stations).

Thu Thiem is where the terminal station of the future North-South Express Railway will be located. Thu Thiem is also the location of the planned Thu Thiem – Long Thanh Light Rail.

Phase 3 will extend the line from An Suong Bus Station to Tay Bac Urban Area in Cu Chi District. Total length of 28 km (elevated) with 22 elevated stations.

The total length of Line 2 from Tay Bac Urban Area to Thu Thiem is 48 km with 42 stations.

The most recent completion date for Phase 1 has been set to 2030.

Line 2 HCMC Metro maps

[Line 2 map by MAUR.]

[Line 2 stations (Phase 1 and 2) map by MAUR.]

[Map by tuoitrenews.vn.]

Links and resources

maur.hochiminhcity.gov.vn/web/en/metro-line-2 – Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).

Sustainable Urban Transport for Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 2 Project [PDF]
Draft Initial Environmental Examination – Prepared by the People’s Committee of Ho Chi Minh City for the Asian Development Bank (July 2013)

Ho Chi Minh City Urban Mass Rapid Transit Line 2 – PFR 2: Tham Luong Depot to Ben Thanh Station (Draft) [PDF]
Environmental Impact Assessments | February 2012.

Wikipedia: Line 2, Ho Chi Minh City Metro

News archive

2024

Cleared site to be handed over for Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro project in June – [10/06/24]
“An entire cleared site will be handed over for the execution of the second metro line project in Ho Chi Minh City in June as work on land clearance is 95 percent complete.”

Relocation, felling of 453 trees proposed for Ho Chi Minh City’s 2nd metro construction – [18/04/24]

Ho Chi Minh City’s metro line No. 2 office proposed for lease amid 30-employee occupancy – [31/03/24]
“The Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) has been seeking the municipal administration’s permission to lease part of a seven-story office building intended for metro line No. 2 that currently houses a mere 30 employees.”

[The seven-story office building in District 12, Ho Chi Minh City intended for metro line No. 2.]

Second HCMC metro line site clearance nears completion – [13/03/24]
“An additional 57 houses affected by the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro line have been fully compensated, which means 90% of the site needed for the project has been cleared.”

HCMC relocating underground utilities for 2nd metro – [20/02/24]
“With contractor selection completed, the relocation of electricity and water systems has begun to make way for the construction of Ho Chi Minh City’s new metro line No. 2.”

Vietnam business hub breaks ground on Metro Line 2 – [19/02/24]
“Ho Chi Minh City has broken ground on a second metro line, after spending more than a decade building the first, as Vietnam makes a renewed push to convince investors that infrastructure is a priority.

The $2 billion project got underway on Saturday, the Management Authority for Urban Railways said, five months before the motorbike-clogged city plans to open its first metro line. Work on the project comes as the city strains to catch up to the rest of the region, where even latecomer Jakarta has already put trains into service.”

Metro line 2’s technical works continuously implemented after Tet holidays – [17/02/24]
“The HCMC Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) on February 17 held a ceremony to return to work on the project construction of the HCMC’s Metro Line No.2 after the Tet holidays.”

2023

Planned completion of Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line pushed back 4 years – [18/10/23]
“The administration in Ho Chi Minh City has adjusted the deadline for the completion of the second metro line to 2030 instead of 2026.

Any problems in the project, linking Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and Tham Luong Depot in District 12, will be fixed between 2030 and 2032, according to the city’s decision.”

Ho Chi Minh City publicizes first artist’s impressions of $2bn metro line No. 2 – [26/06/23]
“The Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) has publicized an artist’s impressions of the second metro line project in the city, linking Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and Tham Luong Depot in District 12.”

A look at the design of HCMC’s second metro line – [25/06/23]
“The Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro line will have nine stations underground and one elevated station, all with a modern design.”

Utilities construction begins for second HCMC metro line – [23/06/23]
“The Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) held a groundbreaking ceremony Thursday for utilities construction serving Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line (Ben Thanh-Tham Luong).”

Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line rescheduled for completion by 2030 – [18/04/23]
“The expected completion of Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line project has been delayed to 2030 from 2026, according to a decision signed by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang.”

PM agrees to extend Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro line project – [17/04/23]
“The prime minister has agreed to push back the completion date of the Metro Line No. 2, aka Ben Thanh-Tham Luong, from 2026 to the end of 2030, plus two more years to 2032 to fix any problems.”

HCMC’s second metro line pushed back 4 years – [17/04/23]
“The government has approved the delay of HCMC metro line No. 2 to give the city time to find a new consultant.

The Ben Thanh-Tham Luong line is now scheduled to be “basically completed” in 2030 instead of 2026, with the official opening in 2032, according to a decision by Deputy Prime Minister Tran Luu Quang.”

Construction of metro line No.2 expected to start in 2025 – [09/03/23]
“It is expected that in 2025, the Metro Line No. 2 project will start construction, said the Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).”

2022

HCMC’s 2nd metro line awaits construction 12 years since approval – [17/10/22]
“Approved in 2010, Ho Chi Minh City’s metro line No.2 is stuck at site clearance, with its deadline sought to be rescheduled to 2030.”

Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro fails to get off ground as loan contracts expire – [05/10/22]
“Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line project is getting into a rut left by the city’s first metro line project as loan contracts for it expire while construction has yet to start.”

Vietnamese group Deoca, foreign partners aim to build railways in HCMC, Laos – [10/07/22]
“Deoca Group is working with foreign partners to study construction of Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line 2 and a railway connecting Vung Ang Economic Zone in central Vietnam to Vientiane.”

HCMC’s 2nd metro construction delayed as consultant quits – [07/06/22]
“The former consultant, a consortium of three German companies and a Swiss and Vietnamese firm, ended the independent consultant (IC) agreement contract with the MAUR in March after both sides failed to agree on an appendix for renewal.”

Consultant for HCMC’s 2nd metro line ends contract over fee dispute – [04/04/22]
“The consortium of three German companies and a Swiss and Vietnamese company said it has ended the independent consultant (IC) agreement contract after it and the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) could not agree on an appendix for renewal.”

Completion schedule of HCM City Metro Line No.2 extended to 2030 – [02/03/22]
“Ho Chi Minh City’s Metro Line No.2 (Ben Thanh-Tham Luong) is scheduled to complete in 2030 instead of 2026 as previously planned, according to the city Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).”

HCM City metro rail developer seeks to speed up work on line No 2 – [21/02/22]
“The HCM City Management Authority for Urban Railways has called for the Ministry of Transport to persuade the administration of HCM City’s District 12 to quickly complete the land acquisition, compensation payment and resettlement of households to enable the construction of metro line No 2.”

HCM City plans to start construction of Metro Line No. 2 this year – [14/01/22]
“Ho Chi Minh City will begin construction of Metro Line No. 2 in 2022, according to the municipal Department of Transport.”

Land clearing plans for HCMC’s second metro line stuck in limbo – [06/01/22]
“Unapproved land price coefficient for HCMC’s District 3 and issues regarding relocation compensation have left plans to clear the land for the city’s second metro line to gather dust.”

2021

Ho Chi Minh City Metro 2021 construction update – [24/08/23]
The Future Southeast Asia construction report.

Construction on second metro line to begin in late 2021 – [05/07/21]
“Land acquisition, compensation payments and resettlement for affected households should be completed by the end of July so that construction on Ho Chi Minh City’s second metro line can begin, city officials have said.”

Lands for Saigon’s 2nd metro line to be fully acquired this year – [18/06/21]
“After missing several deadlines, land acquisition for HCMC’s metro line No.2 is now expected to be completed by the end of this year.

In a letter sent recently to the city administration, the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) said 78 percent of the land has been acquired already, and it would continue with the task to complete it by year end.”

HCMC to replace second metro line consultant – [04/06/21]
“HCMC has decided to end cooperation with the primary consultant for metro line No. 2 after failing to reach agreement on renewing an independent consultant contract.”

Saigon metro line investor slammed for failure to renew consultant pact – [16/03/21]
“The HCMC administration has “severely criticized” the investor of metro line No.2 for failing to renew an independent consultant contract in time for the project to proceed.”

Work on Saigon’s 2nd metro line to begin next year – [14/03/21]
“Work on HCMC’s second metro line is expected to start in mid-2022, with land clearance for the project set to be completed this year.

450 of 603 affected families in six districts have handed over their land for the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro route, accounting for over 74 percent of the plan, the city’s vice chairman, Le Hoa Binh, said in a report sent to the Ministry of Investment and Planning about the progress of the project.”

Work on Saigon’s 2nd metro line scheduled to begin this year – [04/03/21]
“Land acquisition for HCMC’s second metro line is being expedited to enable construction to start in the fourth quarter of this year.

According to the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), which oversees construction of the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong route, 461 out of 603 households in six districts who have to relocate have done so.”

Construction delays push Saigon metro consultancy price tag up – [04/01/21]
“The consultancy price tag for the second metro line in HCMC has risen by nearly 29 percent following eight years of delays.

The HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) said it has not concluded negotiations with an unidentified foreign consultancy for resumption of work on the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong line.”

2020

Saigon’s second metro line at risk of capital delays – [28/12/20]
“A $500 million plus loan agreement for Saigon’s second metro line expires in three days with the project lacking a key prerequisite, an independent consultant.

In a document issued Sunday, Deputy Minister of Planning and Investment Tran Quoc Phuong urged the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee to re-mobilize an independent consultant (IC) for the purpose.”

Saigon’s second metro line to miss land clearance deadline – [17/12/20]
“Problems with compensation policies and a lack of funds will prevent timely land clearance for the second metro line in HCMC.

According to the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR), the main investor in the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro route, 450 of 603 affected families in six districts have handed over their land for the project, accounting for 75 percent of the plan.”

HCMC residents hand over prime land for second metro line – [28/11/20]
“Residents of HCMC’s District 1 have razed parts of their homes to make way for the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro line.”

Vietnam seeks $1 bln ADB loan for HCMC metro line – [26/08/20]
“The Vietnamese government has requested the Asian Development Bank (ADB) for a $1 billion loan to build the second metro line in HCMC.

This loan application replaces the one for $390-million from the same bank that Vietnam canceled earlier this month for the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro route, or Metro Line 2, according to the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR).”

Vietnam calls off $390mn loan from ADB for Saigon metro line – [24/08/20]

Vietnam cancels ADB loan for HCMC metro – [23/08/20]
“Vietnam has decided to cancel a $390-million loan from the Asian Development Bank meant to fund the second metro line in HCMC.

It reduces ADB funding for the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro route to $150 million.”

Saigon residents demolish houses for second metro line – [23/08/20]
“Residents of HCMC’s Tan Binh District are demolishing part of their homes to create space for the city’s Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro line.”

Saigon metro line 2 land acquisition falls behind schedule – [26/06/20]
“Land acquisition for the second metro line in Saigon is falling behind schedule, and this could delay construction set to begin next year.

Some 40-50 percent of land in the six districts the Ben Thanh – Tham Luong metro route runs through has not been handed over yet though the deadline is June 30, director of the line, Le Van Khoa, said on Thursday.”

HCM City speeds up Metro 2 project ground clearance – [17/04/20]
“The HCM City authorities are speeding compensation in order to start the Metro Line 2 Project in October.”

2019

Site clearance for Saigon metro line 2 expected to finish in June 2020 – [05/11/19]

Vietnam approves increased funding for Saigon’s long-delayed metro lines – [5/1/19]

Saigon metro lines cost escalation cleared, construction not to stop – [25/10/19]

2018

Second metro line construction in HCMC may be postponed until 2020 – [07/11/18]
“Urban Railway Management Board in HCMC yesterday said that it has proposed the city’s People’s Committee to put off implementation time of the second metro line, Ben Thanh-Tham Luong, until December 13, 2020.”

2017

HCM City seeks another $800m as metro line 2 sees cost overrun – [21/11/17]
“HCM City has asked the Government for an additional US$800 million for the metro No 2 line from Bến Thành to Tham Lương to accommodate design changes and permission to delay completion until 2024.”

HCMC to extend Metro Line 2 – [26/09/17]
“HCM City is planning to extend Metro Line No 2 Ben Thanh – Tham Luong by 9.3 km.

An additional 5.9 km will link Ben Thanh in District 1 and Thu Thiem Urban Area in District 2, while a 3.4 km section will run from Tham Luong to An Suong Coach Station in District 12.”

Saigon’s second metro line held up by seven-year delay – [12/09/17]
“Under the new schedule, the city may have to wait another decade before the line is up and running.

Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City have asked the prime minister for permission to push back the construction of its second metro line to 2020.”

HCMC metro project cost spike to worsen public debt – [09/09/17]
“Several ministries have expressed concern that the Metro Line No. 2 project in HCMC might make the country’s public debt soar as its cost has surged to about US$2.15 billion from the originally planned US$1.3 billion.”

HCMC speeds up progress of Metro No.2 route – [26/08/17]
“Deputy Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee Tran Vinh Tuyen yesterday chaired the meeting with the Ho Chi Minh urban railway management board and Asia Development Bank of the construction progress and implementation of Ben Thanh-Tham Luong Metro route No.2 project.”

2016

City seeks investors for Metro project – [29/11/16]
“HCM City is seeking US$1.9 billion for the second phase of metro line No 5, which extends from the new Can Giuoc Bus Station in District 8 to the Bay Hien intersection in Tan Binh District.”

2015

Saigon may chop down 150-year-old trees in Tao Dan Park for Metro Line 2 – [19/10/15]
“Tao Dan Park, the green lung of downtown District 1, is about to get a little smaller, as the city’s People’s Committee may soon approve a plan to repurpose 2,100 square meters of the space for metro construction.”

$1.3bn metro line project, 2nd in Ho Chi Minh City, breaks ground – [16/01/15]
“The Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board on Thursday kicked off the first bid package of phase 1 of a US$1.3 billion metro project, which is the second in Ho Chi Minh City.”

“Under the bid package the Hoa Binh Real Estate Construction and Trading Joint Stock Company, the project’s contractor, yesterday started work on an office building and its sub-works on a 22 hectare area at the Tham Luong railway station in District 12.”

2013

ADB gives $500 mln loan to HCMC metro project – [05/07/13]
“Yesterday the Asia Development Bank (ADB) and the State Bank of Vietnam signed an agreement in which the ADB will grant a US$500 million loan, the second of its kind, to the second line of the metro project in Ho Chi Minh City.”

$2-bln metro line construction plan in HCMC complete – [06/12/13]
“The longest metro system in Ho Chi Minh City, linking District 2 and the Cu Chi District, will be constructed in years to come for an estimated US$2 billion. On Thursday, the HCMC Urban Railway Management Board reported that it has completed the drafting of a project to build an aboveground metro line in the city. The line will run from the Northwestern Cu Chi Urban Area along National Highway 22 to An Suong Coach Station and through such streets as Truong Chinh, Cach Mang Thang Tam, Pham Hong Thai, and Le Lai before reaching the Ben Thanh Market in District 1 and ending at the Thu Thiem New Urban Area in District 2.”

2010

Ho Chi Minh City Urban Mass Rapid Transit Line 2 Investment Program – [November 2010]
Reports and recommendations of the president.