Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam’s largest metropolis, has opened its first metro line after years of delays. The 19.7 kilometer (12.2 mile) elevated line connects the city center with its northwestern suburbs and the neighboring province of Binh Duong. It is expected to serve around 137,000 passengers per day in the initial years of operation. The metro system aims to alleviate traffic congestion and air pollution in the rapidly growing city. Construction began in 2012 and was originally scheduled for completion in 2018, but faced multiple delays due to land acquisition issues and the Covid-19 pandemic. The project, which cost an estimated $2.05 billion, was funded by loans from the Asian Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the German Reconstruction Loan Corporation. Future plans include additional metro lines and an expansion of the public transportation network.
Source: https://www.cnn.com/2024/12/22/travel/ho-chi-minh-city-metro-open-intl-hnk/index.html