The route will become the shortest urban railway connection between Ho Chi Minh City and Long Thanh International Airport.
During a site inspection on May 15, deputy chairman of the city’s People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong instructed relevant agencies to complete preparations in time for construction to begin before July 2.
Under the updated design, the metro line will include 19 stations instead of the 20 proposed in an earlier pre-feasibility study conducted by the Railway Project Management Board.
The metro route from central Ho Chi Minh City to Long Thanh Airport (Graphic: Ngoc Tan).
The overall route remains largely unchanged and will continue to pass through the planned urban area of Nhon Trach.
Consultancy firm Arup recommended reducing the number of stations in order to optimise operational efficiency.
The revised design also includes an underground Thu Thiem station, which will serve as a shared interchange for both the Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem metro line and the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh route.
The two metro lines will be directly connected by rail, allowing trains to operate continuously across the network without requiring passengers to transfer.