HCMC – HCMC is set to begin work on its first dedicated bicycle lane on Mai Chi Tho Boulevard next month, marking a step toward greener transport solutions in Vietnam’s most populous city.
According to the HCMC Urban Traffic Management and Operation Center, the agency is in the process of selecting a contractor to build the lane, which will extend from Nguyen Co Thach Street to D1 Street.
The 5.8-kilometer lane, costing over VND14 billion, will be the city’s first bicycle-only route, aligned with HCMC’s strategy to promote eco-friendly transport and curb emissions in Vietnam’s most populous urban center.
The lane will be two meters wide, designed for a maximum speed of 20 kilometers per hour, and built using the city’s regular maintenance budget. Part of Mai Chi Tho Boulevard’s existing road surface will be adapted for the project.
Construction is expected to start in October and take around three months, the center said.
The lane will be paved with dense asphalt concrete and clearly separated from motorized traffic with road markings. Bicycle parking and docking stations will also be set up at convenient spots near residential areas to encourage use.
Looking ahead, the city targets the rollout of at least 8,000 public bicycles between 2026 and 2030 in zones where personal vehicle use is restricted, with plans to scale up citywide. The expansion will be financed through private-sector investment, with strong interest already shown by local businesses.
