The Chairperson of the Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has endorsed a proposal to shift the starting point of the Can Gio metro line from Tan Thuan Station to Ben Thanh Station, enabling a direct connection with metro line No.1 (Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien).

The committee's office announced on October 29 said the proposal was discussed at a meeting of the city’s special task force for reviewing and resolving issues related to major projects and land sites across the city.

The proposal, raised by VinSpeed High-Speed Rail Investment and Development JSC, would allow the new metro line to link with line No.1 and end in Can Gio, 50 km from downtown HCM City.

The municipal leader also asked Vingroup to study the development of an underground public space around Ben Thanh Market, in line with the city’s master plan. The project will improve the city’s urban landscape, boost tourism and commercial activities, and ease traffic congestion in the downtown area.

Under the adjusted plan, the section from Ben Thanh to Tan Thuan will be built underground to reduce land clearance and compensation costs, while the stretch from Tan Thuan to Can Gio will remain elevated as previously designed.

The adjustment is expected to help enhance operational efficiency, expand metro coverage, and strengthen connectivity between residential areas, business centres, and key economic and administrative zones. It would also help create a more synchronised and convenient public transport network for residents.

The municipal People’s Committee assigned VinSpeed to work with relevant departments to update the revised route in the city’s urban railway plan and complete project documentation for submission to the appraisal council and approval of the investment policy and investor selection.

The Department of Finance, which heads the appraisal council, has been directed to promptly evaluate the project documents and report to the city’s People’s Committee for final consideration and decision./.VNA