The Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro Line features 11 elevated stations: Van Thanh, Tan Cang, Thao Dien, An Phu, Rach Chiec, Phuoc Long, Binh Thai, Thu Duc, High-Tech Park, Suoi Tien, and Ben Xe Mien Dong (Eastern Bus Station).
Among them, Tan Cang Station, located near Saigon Bridge in Binh Thanh District, stands out as the largest with architecture that sets it apart from the others.
Metro Line 1 is now fully completed, and authorities are finalizing procedures to officially launch operations this Sunday.
Tan Cang Station is the only station with four train tracks, designed to serve as a future connection point for metro lines No.1 and No. 5 in the future.
A standout architectural feature is its white vaulted roof, spanning 6,200 sq.m, constructed using fiberglass membrane coated with resin imported from Japan. This sets it apart from other elevated stations, which feature metal roofs.
Ahead of its opening, metro trains are undergoing regular testing at Tan Cang Station. The pedestrian bridge, with two entrances on Dien Bien Phu Street, has been completed, and landscaping around the station has been enhanced with green spaces.
Tan Cang has three floors, including the ground floor.
The entire station is 137 m long, 46 m wide, and 32 m high, with open sides for natural light. The roof extends 5 m outward to prevent rainwater from entering the station.
It features a closed roofing system, unlike other elevated stations that have open centers.
The train entrance is fitted with 96 doors on each side for passenger pick-up and drop-off, made of aluminum and glass. Arrows are painted below the entrance to guide passengers on where to enter and exit when the train stops. Most of the doors are covered with foam.
24 light poles are placed ready on the top floor aside from security cameras, waiting benches, lighting, and signage systems.
The tracks as seen from the metro driver's cabin. Before the commercial launch, metro line No.1 have been undergoing its final round of trial runs, with 200 trips per day between 5 a.m. to 10 p.m.
For the test run, trains are covering the full 20 km route between the Long Binh depot (Thu Duc City) and Ben Thanh station (District 1). The trains will run at intervals of 8-12 minutes, with each trip taking approximately 30 minutes, and stops at each station lasting 30 seconds.
The second floor houses ticket sales and inspection areas, administrative offices, a souvenir shop, and technical rooms.
The information desk is located in the center of the second floor, next to the ticket inspection area. Signage, train schedule displays, digital clocks, and restrooms have all been completed.
The ground floor features the main stairway leading to the ticketing area and waiting lobby. It also houses technical rooms, the fire protection system, and a parking lot.
The ground floor parking area can accommodate 350 motorbikes, while five additional parking lots totaling 5,472 sq.m are being constructed near the Van Thanh, Thao Dien, Rach Chiec, Phuoc Long, and Binh Thai stations.
HCMC's first metro line costs over VND43.7 trillion ($1.72 billion). Besides the 11 elevated stations, the line has three underground stations, all in District 1.
