Train coaches for HCMC's first metro line leave Japan

Each measuring 21 meters long and weighing 37 tons, they will arrive at Khanh Hoi Port in District 4 and be taken to the Long Binh Depot in District 9.

They were originally scheduled to be delivered in early April, but were delayed along with accompanying Japanese engineers due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions.

The 19.7-km metro route No.1 from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien theme park in District 9 will have 17 trains, all made in Japan.

Costing VND43.7 trillion ($1.89 billion), it will have 14 stations, 11 elevated and three underground.

Six Japanese engineers arrived on September 18 to work on the metro line and have completed their 14-day mandatory quarantine.

They will help install the tracks and maintenance equipment, according to the HCMC Management Authority for Urban Railways.

Construction began in August 2012, and the much-delayed route is now 76 percent complete.

The target is to complete 85 percent this year so that commercial operations could begin by the end of next year.

The city plans to build eight metro lines running a total 220 km.