HCMC – HCMC simultaneously started construction of four major infrastructure projects on January 15, including a metro line, two bridges and a national sports complex, which cost a total of nearly VND240 trillion.
The projects are Metro Line No. 2 (Ben Thanh–Tham Luong), the Rach Chiec National Sports Complex, Phu My 2 Bridge and Can Gio Bridge.
The city said the projects are key transport and urban works initiated to celebrate the 14th National Party Congress set for January 19-25. They are expected to improve transport infrastructure, support sports development and strengthen connectivity between major areas of the city.
Metro Line No.2 will run nearly 11.3 kilometers from Ben Thanh Station adjacent to the landmark Ben Thanh Market to Tham Luong depot in former District 12, with more than nine kilometers underground. The line will have 10 underground stations and one elevated station.
The route will form a major mass transit corridor in northwest HCMC, running along Pham Hong Thai, Cach Mang Thang Tam and Truong Chinh streets.
Approved in 2010, the project initially used official development assistance but faced delays due to procedural and funding issues. It has since been shifted to public investment under Resolution 188.
The line will operate at GoA4 fully automated standards and is targeted for completion in 2030, with connections to other metro lines.
The 186-hectare Rach Chiec National Sports Complex is being developed under a public-private partnership using a build-transfer contract, with public land to be used for payment to the investor.
The total estimated investment cost is over VND145 trillion, and the implementation period is about eight years from the date of the contract being signed. But the investor is working with the city to shorten the timeline to around five years.
The investor is Vung Tau Sun Company Limited, a subsidiary of Vietnamese conglomerate Sun Group.
Phu My 2 Bridge and Can Gio Bridge were also launched on January 15 and are being developed under public-private partnership, with completion targeted for 2029. The investor for both projects is Masterise Group.
Phu My 2 Bridge will be about 6.3 kilometers long, with eight traffic lanes and total capital of more than VND23 trillion. The bridge is intended to ease congestion on the existing Phu My Bridge and improve links between southern HCMC and Dong Nai Province.
Can Gio Bridge will also span about 6.3 kilometers, with six lanes and total capital of more than VND13 trillion. The bridge will replace the Binh Khanh ferry terminals and eliminate reliance on a single waterway route.
According to city authorities, the Can Gio Bridge will help complete the city’s southern transport network, support investment, eco-tourism, coastal urban development and the marine economy, while maintaining environmental protection and preserving the Can Gio mangrove biosphere reserve.
Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyen Cong Vinh, vice chairman of the HCMC People’s Committee, said the projects demonstrate the city’s commitment to mobilizing social resources to develop a modern and integrated transport infrastructure system.
