HCMC – HCMC has proposed building 14 of the planned 18 stations on the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh railway in the initial phase to optimize investment costs and match expected transport demand, according to a document sent to Dong Nai City on June 5.
The proposal is part of efforts by the two localities to finalize an investment plan for the railway and accelerate procedures ahead of a targeted groundbreaking date before July 2.
Under the updated study, the railway will span about 47.7 km across seven wards and communes in HCMC and Dong Nai. The line is designed with 18 stations, including two underground stations and 16 elevated stations.
HCMC proposed prioritizing construction of 14 stations in the first phase: Binh Trung, Do Xuan Hop, Ba Hien, Phu Huu, Long Truong, Vuon Dua, Long Tan, Phu Thanh, Tuy Ha, Nhon Trach, Phuoc Thien, Xom Goc, Long Thanh 1 and Long Thanh 2.
The railway will start at Thu Thiem Station and run on elevated tracks through Binh Trung and Long Truong before following the HCMC–Long Thanh–Dau Giay Expressway corridor. At the Beltway 3 interchange, the route will turn south, run along the eastern side of the road and cross the Dong Nai River near Nhon Trach Bridge.
In Dong Nai, the line will continue on elevated tracks along Beltway 3 before entering the median of Road 25B. It will cross National Highway 51 and the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway interchange before entering the median of Road T1.
As the railway approaches Long Thanh International Airport, it will transition underground within the airport’s planned railway corridor and run alongside the North–South high-speed railway alignment before ending at the Cam Duong depot.
The project is expected to require more than 144 hectares of land. Land clearance will be separated into an independent component project funded by the budgets of the two cities.
The Thu Thiem–Long Thanh route was previously planned as a light rail line, with a pre-feasibility study prepared by the Ministry of Construction. Following its conversion to an urban railway project, HCMC took over the study results to update and complete the investment plan.
The project has a preliminary investment estimate of about VND175 trillion and is proposed to be implemented under the build-transfer (BT) model. Dai Quang Minh Real Estate Investment JSC, a member of Thaco Group, has expressed interest in participating.
HCMC aims to complete the railway by 2030. Once operational, the line will provide a direct mass-transit connection between the city center and Long Thanh International Airport.
