United States Unites France, Vietnam, and Ho Chi Minh City in a Revolutionary Thirteen Billion Dollar Metro Project, Connecting the City’s Transport Hubs to Long Thanh International Airport by 2030
The United States, in partnership with France and Vietnam, is spearheading a groundbreaking $13 billion metro project aimed at transforming Ho Chi Minh City's transport infrastructure. This revolutionary initiative will connect key transport hubs in the city to the upcoming Long Thanh International Airport, set to open by 2030.
The United States, in partnership with France and Vietnam, is spearheading a groundbreaking $13 billion metro project aimed at transforming Ho Chi Minh City’s transport infrastructure. This revolutionary initiative will connect key transport hubs in the city to the upcoming Long Thanh International Airport, set to open by 2030. The project marks a historic collaboration between the three nations and promises to significantly enhance connectivity, reduce traffic congestion, and foster economic growth in the region. This ambitious metro system is poised to redefine travel and mobility within Ho Chi Minh City, creating a seamless link between the heart of the city and the new international gateway.
Ho Chi Minh City is rapidly advancing its plans for a major underground metro project designed to connect the bustling downtown area to the newly developed Long Thanh International Airport. The airport is set to become Vietnam’s largest infrastructure undertaking, with a projected completion date of June. However, the airport currently has no direct rail connection to the city that will generate the majority of its passengers. This infrastructure gap is driving the accelerated push to complete an underground metro system, which is a crucial component of Vietnam’s evolving transportation network.
The underground metro line will start at Ben Thanh Station, located in the heart of the city along Ham Nghi Street, and will then traverse under the Saigon River. It will then continue along Mai Chi Tho Street towards Thu Thiem, where it will eventually link up with a separate railway line that heads toward Long Thanh International Airport in Dong Nai Province. The airport is situated around 40 kilometers east of Ho Chi Minh City and will become a major hub for both international and domestic flights once operational.
With an estimated total investment of VND337 trillion (US$12.94 billion), Long Thanh International Airport officially received its first ceremonial flight on December 19, 2025, and is scheduled to begin commercial operations by mid-2026. Initially, the airport will handle long-haul flights from key destinations, including Europe, North America, India, and the Middle East. Despite the excitement surrounding the new airport, access to it remains limited, as it currently relies entirely on road transport. The primary access routes include the already congested Ho Chi Minh City-Long Thanh-Dau Giay Expressway and a number of national highways, which are inadequate for the volume of traffic expected.
Ho Chi Minh City, which will account for a large portion of the airport’s passengers, currently lacks a direct rail connection to the new hub. This gap in infrastructure has been identified by city leaders as a top priority to address before 2030. As a result, significant efforts are underway to complete the necessary rail links to the airport in a timely manner.
The first component of this ambitious plan is the underground metro line between Ben Thanh Station and Thu Thiem, which will help connect the heart of the city to the new airport. In addition, a separate 42-kilometer railway line is being fast-tracked between Thu Thiem and Long Thanh. This line will consist of 20 stations and will play a critical role in improving access to the airport. The combined metro and railway system will form a continuous rail corridor, providing an efficient and modern mode of transportation for travelers between Tan Son Nhat Airport, downtown Ho Chi Minh City, and Long Thanh International Airport.
Once completed, this rail network will significantly ease the strain on existing roads and highways, providing a much-needed alternative to car travel. The project is seen as a vital link between Ho Chi Minh City and Dong Nai Province, creating a seamless transportation network between the city center and the new airport. Officials believe that this system will improve both the efficiency of travel within the city and the overall connectivity between Ho Chi Minh City and the rest of Vietnam, as well as international destinations.
To move forward with the project, a proposal has been made for a public-private partnership (PPP) to fund the construction of the Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem metro section. The estimated preliminary investment for this segment is VND33 trillion (US$1.26 billion). In January, the city of Ho Chi Minh approved a feasibility study for the project, although formal investment approval is still pending. The company behind the proposal is already involved in the construction of the 11.3-kilometer Ben Thanh-Tham Luong section of Metro Line 2, which is also part of the city’s broader metro expansion plan. The Ben Thanh-Tham Luong segment broke ground on January 15, 2026, with an estimated budget of VND55 trillion (US$2.1 billion).
Additionally, the company is involved in the study and planning of the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh railway project, which has a preliminary estimated investment of around VND84.753 trillion (US$3.24 billion). This railway line will play a critical role in improving the accessibility of Long Thanh International Airport and is expected to be completed by 2030. Once both the metro and railway lines are finished, Ho Chi Minh City will have a comprehensive and modern rail network connecting both of the city’s major airports via the downtown area.
The completion of these transportation links is crucial not only for the development of Ho Chi Minh City’s infrastructure but also for boosting the local economy. The new Long Thanh International Airport is expected to handle millions of passengers annually, with a significant portion of these passengers expected to come from Ho Chi Minh City. Efficient transportation between the city and the airport is therefore a vital component of the region’s economic growth and development.
Moreover, the development of the metro and railway network is part of a broader strategy to modernize Vietnam’s infrastructure. As the country continues to grow economically, the demand for more efficient and sustainable modes of transportation increases. The rail network will provide a green and efficient alternative to road travel, helping to reduce congestion and pollution in Ho Chi Minh City, which has long struggled with traffic issues.
The United States, France, and Vietnam are joining forces in a groundbreaking $13 billion metro project to connect Ho Chi Minh City’s transport hubs to Long Thanh International Airport by 2030, enhancing connectivity and driving economic growth.
Ho Chi Minh City is poised to complete a modern and vital transportation link to Long Thanh International Airport by 2030. The construction of the underground metro line and the Thu Thiem-Long Thanh railway will not only improve connectivity between the city and the airport but will also contribute to the overall modernization of Vietnam’s transportation infrastructure. Once completed, this project will transform the way people travel in the region, supporting economic growth, improving passenger experience, and addressing the city’s longstanding traffic congestion issues.
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