Metro Line No. 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien was officially inaugurated after 2 months and 15 days of operation, marking an important milestone in the development of the public transport system in Ho Chi Minh City.
On the morning of March 9, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee held the inauguration ceremony of Urban Railway Line No. 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) with the participation of representatives of the Japanese Government, leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, ministries, departments, central agencies, leaders of Ho Chi Minh City through the periods, and a large number of people.
Delegates cut the ribbon to inaugurate metro line No. 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien. (Photo: My Quynh)
Opening a new era of public transport
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, Mr. Phan Cong Bang, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board, said that metro line No. 1 has a total length of 19.7km, including 14 stations, connecting from the center of Ho Chi Minh City to Thu Duc City. It is the first underground route in the country, applying many modern and advanced construction methods.
Mr. Phan Cong Bang, Head of the Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board. (Photo: My Quynh)
The project uses ODA capital from the Japanese Government and domestic counterpart capital, and is a key economic cooperation project between the two governments of Vietnam and Japan. Completed and put into commercial operation from December 22, 2024. To date, metro line No. 1 has served more than 5 million passengers, receiving positive feedback from the people.
According to Mr. Bang, this success was achieved thanks to the close attention and direction of the Government leaders, Central leaders, and Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee to resolve difficulties and obstacles, and closely coordinate during the implementation process.
In addition, there is the cooperation of the Japanese cooperation agency and the contractor consulting units that have accompanied Ho Chi Minh City. In particular, we must mention the sacrifices of the city's people, especially those within the project's scope of influence, who have given up their land and shared inconveniences in life and business... so that metro line 1 can be completed.
Mr. Bang commented that the operation of Metro Line 1 is an important initial result, opening a new era for urban railways. Ho Chi Minh City strives to complete 7 urban railway lines with a length of 355km by 2035, meeting 50% of people's travel needs and minimizing traffic jams, saving travel time, building green, sustainable and modern transportation.
Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, spoke at the inauguration ceremony of metro line 1. (Photo: My Quynh)
Mr. Nguyen Van Duoc, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, shared that the inauguration ceremony of metro line 1 is an important event, marking a turning point in the process of innovating the city's urban transport system.
According to Mr. Duoc, investing in modern public transport such as urban railways, combined with public transport-oriented development (TOD) is an urgent solution to reduce congestion, build a civilized, environmentally friendly and sustainable urban area.
Besides, Metro Line 1 is not only a modern transport project, but also an important symbol of economic cooperation between Vietnam and Japan, which is prioritized by the leaders of the two countries to promote.
Delegates and guests experience metro line 1. (Photo: My Quynh)
However, this is just the beginning, because the process of operating, managing and exploiting the functions of metro line 1 to ensure safety, performance and efficiency is an important factor that needs special attention in the coming time.
He suggested that the Urban Railway Project Management Board and relevant authorities take note, have specific and detailed plans and scenarios to proactively operate and exploit the key project, which has many cooperative meanings between the two countries Vietnam and Japan.
Strengthening Vietnam - Japan friendship
Mr. Furukawa Yasushi, Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan, expressed his joy at attending the metro inauguration ceremony. According to him, Ho Chi Minh City is a large urban area in Vietnam, and the development of an urban railway system to help reduce air pollution and traffic congestion, which are becoming increasingly serious due to urbanization, has become an urgent need.
Mr. Furukawa Yasushi, Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism of Japan. (Photo: My Quynh)
Metro Line No. 1 is also a symbol of the new close cooperation in the railway sector between Vietnam and Japan, and has great significance in further developing the cooperation between the two countries.
In the coming time, Japan will continue to support the operation and management of Metro Line 1 by sharing Japan's knowledge and experience, thereby strengthening cooperation with Vietnam to promote development in the city's railway sector.
"Although there are still some problems for Japanese companies participating in the project, I believe that all can be resolved through cooperation between the relevant parties of the two countries. I also believe that, through resolving those problems, the cooperative relationship between the two countries will become stronger," said Mr. Furukawa Yasushi.
Meanwhile, Japanese Deputy Foreign Minister Miyaji Takuma said that Metro Line 1 is Japan’s largest ODA project for Vietnam to date. It can be said that this is a great project symbolizing the cooperation between Japan and Vietnam.
Signboard symbolizing cooperation between Vietnam and Japan through metro line 1. (Photo: My Quynh)
Mr. Miyaji Takuma believes that the urban railway will contribute to improving the living environment for city residents, reducing traffic congestion, reducing air pollution in Ho Chi Minh City... thereby contributing to the economic development of the city and localities.
After the inauguration ceremony, representatives of the Japanese Government, leaders and former leaders of the Party, State, ministries, central departments and branches, leaders of Ho Chi Minh City... took the metro from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien station to experience it.
Source: https://www.baogiaothong.vn/khanh-thanh-metro-so-1-ky-vong-dot-pha-giao-thong-cong-cong-trong-tuong-lai-192250309103358274.htm
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