HCMC – An environmental impact assessment (EIA) report for the proposed Ben Thanh–Can Gio urban railway project, valued at over US$11 billion, has been submitted and is now open for public consultation on the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment’s portal.
The project, to be developed under a public–private partnership (PPP), is slated to begin preparatory work between 2025 and 2027, with construction expected from 2028 to 2035.
Once completed, the high-speed rail line is expected to cut travel time between downtown HCMC and Can Gio Commune to just 25 minutes, serving around 43,000 passengers per day.
According to the EIA report prepared by VinSpeed High-Speed Rail Investment and Development JSC, the 52.92-kilometer double-track line will run through eight wards and communes of HCMC: Ben Thanh, Xom Chieu, Tan Thuan, Tan My, Nha Be, Binh Khanh, An Thoi Dong, and Can Gio.
The line will use a standard gauge of 1,435 mm and be electrified at 25kV–50Hz, designed for speeds of up to 350 kilometers per hour with an axle load of 17 tons.
The first phase will feature two stations, including Ben Thanh and Can Gio, while the second phase will add four intermediate stations and a depot in Can Gio.
To mitigate environmental impact, particularly on the Can Gio mangrove forest, the investor has proposed building elevated sections across sensitive areas and replanting 50 hectares of forest to offset any losses. The project is viewed as a key component of HCMC’s plan to develop into a coastal urban hub.
