More than 30 workers were installing cable systems, building parallel roads, creating parking lots, and enhancing greenery along the metro route at Thao Dien Station in Thu Duc City on Nov. 22.
The Metro Line No. 1, stretching 20 km from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Long Binh Depot in Thu Duc City is set to open on Dec. 22. Ticket prices will range from VND6,000 to VND20,000 ($0.24–$0.79) per ride, while a monthly pass will cost VND300,000 ($11.85). Unlimited travel passes for 1–3 days will also be available.
The project has reached 100% construction completion and is now undergoing final procedural approvals to commence operations.
Workers are paving a parallel road beneath a pedestrian bridge at Thao Dien Station, compacting the foundation, and preparing a 100-meter section for asphalt
Previously delayed due to land clearance issues, the parallel road along Vo Nguyen Giap Boulevard (formerly Hanoi Highway) is now on track for completion, which is expected to ease congestion on this thoroughfare.
The outdated asphalt under Thao Dien Station is being replaced with a 1,000-square-meter parking lot. Additionally, five parking areas covering a total of 5,472 sq.m are under construction near the Van Thanh, Thao Dien, Rach Chiec, Phuoc Long, and Binh Thai stations.
Workers are installing roofs for a 1,000-sq.m parking lot adjacent to Vo Nguyen Giap Boulevard, connecting directly to a pedestrian bridge.
Previously, nine pedestrian bridges connecting with nine elevated stations of the line, Tan Cang, Thao Dien, An Phu, Rach Chiec, Phuoc Long, Binh Thai, Thu Duc, the High-Tech Park, and Vietnam National University, were completed.
Most bridges are constructed along Vo Nguyen Giap Boulevard - Hanoi Highway, directly connecting to the stations. Each bridge spans 80-150 meters in length, approximately 3.5 meters in width, and stands nearly 5 meters high, depending on location.
Danh Teo, 39, was welding steel bars on the roof of a parking lot at Phuoc Long Station. "This parking lot only needs the roof to be finished to align with the upcoming launch of the metro line," he said.
Spanning 1,000 sq.m, the Phuoc Long Station parking lot is situated next to the Hanoi Highway and features a pedestrian walkway connecting to the foot of the pedestrian bridge. Key structures, including the management building, restrooms, and fencing, have already been completed.
About 3 km away, Nguyen Khang (right) and his team were laying tiles for the management building of a parking lot at Rach Chiec Station. Spanning approximately 1,500 sq.m, most of the construction work is nearly complete.
More than 20 environmental workers cleaned and prepared green spaces near the Saigon Bridge on the morning of Nov. 23. Previously enclosed for construction, these areas had become overgrown with weeds and litter.
Worker Mai Thi Lai planted grass and flowers beneath the metro. After this step, fences and an automatic irrigation system will be installed.
“I’m happy to contribute to making the city’s first metro line greener and more beautiful,” she said.
Throughout the metro line, many green spaces along the Hanoi Highway will be further enhanced in the coming period.
The project to increase greenery along the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro line has a total investment of over VND96 billion (US$3.77 million), aiming to enhance a section of nearly 15 kilometers, from Van Thanh Canal in Binh Thanh District to Long Binh Depot in Thu Duc City.
Key components include planting trees, grass, and ornamental plants in vacant areas and at prominent locations along Vo Nguyen Giap Street. The project also features the installation of an automated irrigation system throughout the route.
