BackStories » Saigon

in Development

New Proposal Plans Metro Line Linking Long Thành Airport, Thủ Thiêm

Let the paperwork begin!

in Development

Saigon Metro Line 1 Announces July Launch Date, Free Rides in Phase 1

Will 2024 be the auspicious year when our legs could finally step on the metro platform for the first time?

in Hanoi

Glide Over Hanoi in the Calmness of the Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line

In many countries, urban metros are a mundane convenience — so ordinary that their users often take them for granted. But until the birth of Hanoi’s Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line, residents of Vietnam h...

in Saigon

Plan to Put Canopy Over Treeless Lê Lợi Pavement Sparks Debate

Late last week, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Planning and Architecture unveiled a proposal to install canopies across Lê Lợi Boulevard’s pavement.

in Vietnam

The History of Hanoi's Lost Tramway Network

When they first drew up plans for a citywide tramway network in 1894, it seemed as though the Hanoi authorities would follow Saigon’s example by opting for steam traction. Yet, by the time government ...

in Saigon

Saigon's Metro Line 1 Went on Its First Test Run Last Week

Last week, the Saigon Metro project took a major step in realizing many Saigoneers’ long-awaited dream of experiencing their own urban railway line.

in Hanoi

Without State Subsidies, Hanoi Metro Records $2.3m in Losses in 2021

Pre-subsidies, Vietnam's first operational metro route — Hanoi's Cát Linh-Hà Đông Metro Line — recorded VND54 billion (US$2.32 million) in losses in 2021.

in Vietnam

Hanoi Envisions 6 More Metro Lines for City Center by 2050

Earlier this week, Hanoi unveiled a general plan for the underground development of the city center which includes adding six metro lines and 81 underground stations. 

in Development

After Years of Delay, Operating Company of Saigon's 1st Metro Line Is Broke

Years of delay, which has been further compounded by the extended pandemic, have depleted the funding for Saigon Metro's operator.

in Music & Arts

Adorable Metro Illustrations Take Viewers on a Joyride Through Saigon

As fans of Vietnam’s busiest city, graphic designers An Nguyễn and Học Nguyễn launched a mock communication campaign to create prospective visual branding for the upcoming Ho Chi Minh City Metro. The ...

in Hanoi

Mattress Company Fined VND137m for Half-Naked Santas on Hanoi Metro

A mattress company was fined VND137 million for its recent advertising stunt involving half-naked men showing off their abs on the Hanoi metro.

in Podcast

Saigoneer Podcast: Rating 'Bonjour Vietnam,' Plus Waterbus v. Metro

After a brief Covid-related break, we're back with a new episode!

in Hanoi

Hanoi's First Metro Line Will Officially Open Tomorrow

Hanoi's Cat Linh-Ha Dong Line will be the first metro system in Vietnam to commence operation.

in Development

HCMC Proposes Rail Link Between Tan Son Nhat, Long Thanh Airports

This is part of the city's suggestions for the Vietnam Railway Authority's railway development plan for 2021-2030.

in Development

Hanoi Puts Finishing Touches to Get First Metro Line Running by End of April

Fingers crossed!

in Saigon

Metro Contractor to Restore Le Loi Boulevard's Surface This Year

Will Saigoneers see the return of Le Loi Boulevard this year?

in Saigon

Saigon Invites Independent Consultant to Inspect Defect on Metro Line

The saga of Saigon's first metro line continues.

in Development

Saigon Metro's Foreign Experts to Be Paid at Least $23,000 Per Month

Teaching train driving is a bankable field nowadays.

in Saigon

Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro Line Completion Delayed to 2022

Who could've seen this coming?

in Hanoi

Hanoi Begins Full-Scale Test Runs of Cat Linh-Ha Dong Metro Line This Weekend

At last, some progress.

in Saigon

How Much Would a Trip on Saigon's Future Metro Line 1 Cost?

With a train ticketing system that’s a decade old, riders on Saigon’s Metro Line 1 might face inconvenience even before even setting foot on the subway.

in Development

Saigon's Metro Line 2 Acquires 70% of Land Needed for Construction

Construction on the Ben Thanh-Tham Luong metro line is expected to commence in 2021.

in Development

81% of Saigoneers Plan to Use Metro Line 1 When It's Finished, Survey Shows

Do you plan to use the metro lines in these cities?

in Hanoi

Hanoi's Second Metro Line Welcomes First Train From France

The train cars arrived in Hai Phong after being shipped from France.

in Saigon

First Saigon Metro Train Arrives From Japan for Test Runs

Much excite!

in Development

Hanoi Gears up to Start Building Metro Line 5 in 2022

The proposed route would cover 39 kilometers.

in Saigon

Tan Binh Residents Tear Down Part of Homes for Metro Line 2

Homeowners on Cach Mang Thang Tam and Truong Chinh streets in Tan Binh District have spent the last few days dismantling parts of their homes to make way for the city's second metro line. 

in Saigon

Saigon Commences Training Course for 58 Future Metro Train Drivers

Progress on Saigon's Metro Line 1 is moving into the human resources and training phase.

in Saigon

Saigon Reveals Plans to Spend $17bn on Public Transit Over 10 Years

This is part of an effort to increase public transport usage and reduce private vehicle numbers as traffic and air quality continues to worsen.

in Development

Covid-19 Supply Chain Disruptions Delay Delivery of Hanoi Metro Trains to End of 2020

Disruptions in global shipping, shuttered factories and supply chain interruptions mean the trains for Hanoi's second metro line will arrive from France later than expected.

in Development

New Renderings Show Expanse of Ben Thanh Metro Interchange, Plaza

A new set of renderings conjures up a future in which Ben Thanh Station is a both a transportation and commercial hub for city dwellers.

Paul Christiansen

in Postcards

Saigon Postcard No. 24: A Slice of New Saigon

Saigon is a cake with many bakers.

in Hanoi

Hanoi Officials Hope First Metro Line Opens by October

The Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro line has been beset by years of financial and technical delays.

in Saigon

Saigon Begins Redesigning Park Project in Front of Opera House

When complete, the 1,300-square-meter area will feature trees, vegetation, grass and pathways for communal use.

in Development

Hanoi Officials Reject $50m Request From Chinese Metro Contractor

Hanoi officials have refused to pay the Chinese metro contractors their demand of US$50 million in advance to perform a test run on the Cat Linh-Ha Dong line in Hanoi.

in Development

Hanoi's Metro Line 3 Faces Delay Due to Site Clearance Hold-Up

The above-ground section of Hanoi’s Metro Line 3 (Nhon-Hanoi Train Station) is essentially finished, though some site clearance issues might drag out the completion date.

in Saigon

As Metro Line 1 Nears Completion, Saigon Moves Forward With Plans for Line 3A

The 20-kilometer-long Metro Line 3A would run from Ben Thanh Station in District 1 to Tan Kien Ward in Binh Chanh District.

in Saigon

First Floor of Opera House Metro Station Completed Ahead of Schedule

At long last, visible progress on the underground section of Saigon's first metro line has appeared.

in Development

Trains for Saigon’s First Metro Line Undergo Final Testing in Japan

On April 11, Saigon’s Urban Railway Management Board announced that the trains ordered to serve the city’s first metro line had begun their final technical inspections in Japan.

in Development

Opera House Metro Station Expected to Open for Public Visits by April 30

Work on the Opera House station of the Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien line has gone into overdrive.

Paul Christiansen

in Postcards

Saigon Postcard No. 22: Feline Obstruction

If one needs further proof of cats' superiority to humans, one simply needs to consider their response to Saigon's perpetually stalled public transportation plans.

in Development

Saigon Metro Line 1 Is 71% Complete; First Train to Be Delivered in June 2020

The Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro Line is now 71% complete, its management board says.

in Saigon

Saigon to Restore Square in Front of Opera House After Years Under Construction

The area has been fenced off for six years to make way for the construction of the metro.

in Development

Hanoi's First 2 Metro Lines May Open by End of This Year

Let's begin the new year with updates from Hanoi's much-anticipated urban railway project.

in Development

Saigon Authorities Cut $147m From Metro Line 1’s Cost

Work on the first metro line is 75% complete.

in Saigon

Site Clearance for Saigon Metro Line 2 Expected to Finish in June 2020

While progress on Saigon’s first metro line is somewhat nearing the finish line, the city’s second line is undergoing site clearance.

in Development

Binh Duong to Build 'World Trade Center' With Link to Saigon Metro

Binh Duong has unveiled plans to construct a massive commercial complex in hopes of boosting the local economy and investment opportunities.

in Development

Saigon Metro Construction Avoids Halt as Cost Revisions Approved by Ministries

The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has been trying to increase the cost for both of the city's first two metro lines for a while.

in Hanoi

Major Extensions Considered for Several Metro Lines

While no sections of Hanoi's metro system are operational yet, city officials are already planning massive extensions for future lines.

in Hanoi

Central Hanoi Streets Blocked Off for Construction of Metro Line

Expect traffic woes for the foreseeable future due to metro construction.

in Saigon

Saigon's First Two Metro Lines Delayed Again

Exactly zero people will be shocked by the news.

in Saigon

How Will Saigon Metro Line 1 Connect With Existing Bus, Water Transport Networks?

While Saigon’s first-ever metro project is inching slowly towards the finish line, city transportation officials are devising plans to integrate the upcoming urban railway into existing public transpo...

in Development

Vietnam Approves Additional Funding for Saigon's Metro Line 1, 2

Hopefully, the increased funding can help alleviate the crises surrounding the construction of the first metro line and kick start the second line's construction.

in Development

Saigon Metro Project Will Halt If Unpaid Bills Are Not Settled, Japanese Ambassador Warns

Even the Japanese contractor has had enough of late payments and delays when it comes to Saigon’s Metro Line 1.

Brian Letwin

in Development

How Saigon Plans to Avoid the 'Car Age'

“A developed city is not one in which the poor get around by car but one in which the rich get around by public transit” - Enrique Peñalosa, former mayor of Bogotá. It seems like every time I’m stall...

Brian Letwin

in Development

Massive Transportation Plan for Saigon Revealed

We’ve heard a lot over the last few years about proposed improvements to Saigon’s transportation infrastructure. These include the new Long Thanh International Airport and expanding the city center in...