Minister warns that without changes, HCMC's metro system will take a century to complete

The planning minister has stated that Ho Chi Minh City will need to secure a loan of $20 billion in order to complete its planned metro lines, warning that without changes, the system could take a century to finish. According to a plan approved in 2013, the city was set to have eight metro lines spanning a total length of 220 km, with an estimated cost of $25 billion.

However, progress has been slow, with the first line, which began construction in 2012, currently at 95% completion, while the second line is still in the site clearance phase. Both lines are being funded through official development aid provided by the government.

The first line, spanning 19.7 km between District 1 and Thu Duc City, has already missed its original deadline by five years. The main obstacle hindering the timely completion of the line, as cited by responsible authorities, is the lack of funding.