First glimpse into HCMC metro’s skylight window

Part of the construction site to build Ben Thanh underground station of Ho Chi Minh City's metro line No.1 has been cleared from the September 23rd Park in District 1, revealing the skylight window, a station's highlight.

The skylight seen from above.

It is designed in the shape of a fully open lotus flower.

The skylight provides natural light for the underground station that lies in front of the city's iconic Ben Thanh Market.

The skylight made of glass to avoid obstructing the view of the market.

Foreign tourists walk past the skylight on Tuesday morning.

An artist's impression of the area under the skylight once Ben Thanh underground station is put into use.

The roof is built of steel frames, aluminum and interlaced glass panels.

Ben Thanh Market as seen from inside the skylight.

Workers completing the interior of the skylight.

Next to Ben Thanh market, another skylight of smaller scale is under construction to ventilate the underground station.

Plants growing around the skylight.

Ben Thanh underground station from above.

The station will be 32 meters below ground and have four stories. The most important of line No.1’s three underground stations, it will also serve as a transfer station linking with future lines 2, 3 and 4.

The station is almost complete and builders are now adding the finishing touches.

HCMC’s first metro line will run 19.7 km from Ben Thanh Market to Long Binh Depot in Thu Duc City.

Work on the line started in 2012. After many delays, it is now expected to start operation later this year. Its costs have risen from VND17.4 trillion to about VND43.7 trillion.