Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line, Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line No 1 connecting Bến Thành and Suối Tiên, recorded nearly 19 million passenger trips in its first year of operation, marking a major milestone for public transport in Việt Nam’s largest city. The strong ridership reflects growing public acceptance of mass transit and highlights the metro’s role in reshaping daily mobility patterns.
The success of Line No 1 has also reinforced the need for a broader, integrated transport network. While buses and a single metro line cannot fully meet travel demand, better coordination between surface transport, elevated routes, waterways and underground rail is increasingly seen as essential to reduce reliance on private vehicles. Around Line No 1 stations, expanded motorbike parking areas are consistently full, while electric bus services and conventional bus routes feeding into the metro have recorded higher passenger volumes.
Operationally, the line has maintained stable services throughout weekdays, holidays and peak travel periods, with three-car trains often crowded. During major events and holiday seasons, all 17 trainsets were deployed to accommodate surging demand. Traffic conditions have also improved, with congestion easing along key corridors such as Võ Nguyên Giáp Street in 2025.
Technology adoption has enhanced passenger convenience, with app-based ticketing replacing manual sales and integrated e-ticketing allowing seamless transfers between buses and the metro via smartphones. With Metro Line No 2 and the Bến Thành–Cần Giờ urban rail link already under construction, expectations are rising that Ho Chi Minh City’s expanding metro network will further strengthen sustainable urban mobility in the years ahead.