The Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee has submitted a proposal to the city People's Council requesting approval to change the land-use purpose of 4.57 hectares of protection forest for the construction of the metro line.
The Ben Thanh - Can Gio metro project will run parallel to Rung Sac Road (Photo: Trinh Nguyen).
According to the proposal, the project area includes more than 4.6 hectares of forest and forestry land, of which over 4.5 hectares is forested land.
All affected forest falls within the protection forest category. The area includes more than 1.4 hectares of natural mangrove forest and approximately 3.16 hectares of planted mangrove forest.
Project documents show that the Ben Thanh-Can Gio metro route is being developed by Vinspeed High-Speed Railway Investment and Development Joint Stock Company.
The route will pass through Ben Thanh Ward, Khanh Hoi Ward, Xom Chieu Ward, Tan Thuan Ward, Tan My Ward, Nha Be Commune, Binh Khanh Commune, An Thoi Dong Commune and Can Gio Commune.
The project received investment policy approval and investor approval from the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee on December 5, 2025.
City authorities said the railway is intended to provide a high-capacity, high-speed transport link between the city centre and Can Gio, helping to reduce traffic congestion, shorten travel times and improve connectivity between the Can Gio urban area and central Ho Chi Minh City.
According to the People's Committee, the Ben Thanh-Can Gio metro route is classified as an essential transport infrastructure project for socio-economic development and therefore meets the criteria for converting natural forest land to other uses under current regulations.
The submission to the city People's Council includes a commitment from Vinspeed High-Speed Railway Investment and Development Joint Stock Company to fulfil its obligation to carry out compensatory reforestation for the affected forest area.
The proposed forest conversion covers more than 4.5 hectares of protection forest, including both natural and planted mangrove ecosystems, and remains subject to approval by the city People's Council.