Key Takeaways
- Underground station S10 at Truong Chinh - Pham Van Bach intersection begins construction April 1, 2026
- Over 50,000 vehicles per day must be rerouted during the construction period
- Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong): 20 km, 11 stations, ~$2.1 billion investment
- Target completion: 2028-2030, connecting CBD with western suburbs
- HCMC targets 220 km of metro by 2035 — Line 2 is a critical east-west axis
What Is Metro Line 2?
Metro Line 2 (Ben Thanh - Tham Luong) is a 20-kilometer mostly underground metro line with 11 stations, connecting HCMC's central business district with western districts including Tan Binh, Tan Phu, and District 12. The project has a total investment of approximately $2.1 billion USD, funded by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Vietnamese government.
The line will interchange with Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) at Ben Thanh station, creating a cross-shaped metro network serving hundreds of thousands of daily riders. While Line 1 runs north-south from downtown to Thu Duc, Line 2 expands east-west, relieving traffic pressure on the chronically congested Cach Mang Thang 8 and Truong Chinh corridors.
Metro Line 2 — 11 Stations
When complete, the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong journey takes just 25 minutes instead of 60-90 minutes by bus or motorbike during rush hour.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
S10 Station: Construction Details and Diversions
Station S10 is located at the Truong Chinh - Pham Van Bach intersection in Tan Son ward, Tan Phu district. It is one of the most critical underground stations on Line 2, positioned at the junction of two major western arterial roads. From April 1, 2026, the entire intersection is barricaded for station shaft construction, expected to last many months.
Truong Chinh road is one of HCMC's busiest thoroughfares with over 50,000 vehicles per day, including heavy trucks, buses, and motorbikes. The traffic diversion requires commuters to find alternative routes through Au Co, Phan Huy Ich, or Tan Ky Tan Quy, adding 15 to 25 minutes to peak-hour commutes.
Traffic Diversions from April 1, 2026
Tan Binh and Tan Phu residents commuting to District 1 should leave 20-30 minutes earlier and prefer the Cong Hoa or Au Co routes over Truong Chinh.
Construction Timeline: From Approval to Operations
The Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien line officially began operations, marking HCMC's entry into the metro era after over a decade of construction.
→ Commuters travel from District 1 to Thu Duc in just 30 minutes instead of 90 by bus.
ADB-funded consultancy package completed detailed assessments of all 11 underground stations and construction methods.
→ Cost estimates rose 15% above original plans, reaching approximately $2.1 billion USD.
The Truong Chinh - Pham Van Bach intersection (Tan Son ward) is barricaded for S10 underground station construction. Vehicles must take detours.
→ 50,000+ vehicles/day affected. Travel time through the area increases 15-25 minutes during peak hours.
TBM tunnel boring machines expected to cut through from Ben Thanh to Tham Luong. This is the most complex component of the project.
→ If on schedule, HCMC will have the most modern underground system in Southeast Asia alongside Bangkok and Singapore.
Installation of electrical systems, signaling, rolling stock, and test runs. The schedule has been revised multiple times due to land clearance delays.
→ When complete, the Ben Thanh - Tham Luong journey takes just 25 minutes, serving hundreds of thousands of riders daily.
Line 2 Construction Progress
Impact on Commuters and Businesses
Businesses along Truong Chinh face declining foot traffic as construction barriers restrict storefront access. Based on Line 1 experience, revenue for shops near construction sites dropped 20-40% during peak construction phases. However, property values near metro stations typically rise 15-30% once the line becomes operational.
Dust, noise, and vibrations from the construction site also significantly affect the quality of life for surrounding residents. The city government requires contractors to limit construction hours from 6 AM to 10 PM and maintain continuous dust suppression. A hotline for resident complaints has been established.
Truong Chinh storefront landlords near S10: rent may temporarily drop 15-20% during 2 years of construction, but rise 25-35% once metro operates.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons
Lessons Learned from Metro Line 1
Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) opened in December 2024 after over 12 years of construction, becoming HCMC's first metro line. The project went through multiple delays due to land clearance difficulties, design changes, and cost overruns. However, since operations began, Line 1 has proven its immense value: reducing District 1 to Thu Duc travel time from 90 minutes to just 30 minutes.
Key lessons applied to Line 2: earlier land clearance, clearer community communication, selecting contractors with deep-bore tunneling experience, and more detailed traffic management plans. According to MAUR (Management Authority for Urban Railways), Line 2 progress is being closely monitored to avoid repeating mistakes.
Line 1 proves: despite drawn-out construction causing frustration, the end result fundamentally transforms how people commute.
HCMC Metro Master Plan to 2035
HCMC targets a 220-kilometer metro network with 6 main lines by 2035, transforming the city into Southeast Asia's most modern public transit hub. Line 2 is the second step in this ambitious plan, following the initial success of Line 1. Line 3a (Ben Thanh - Tan Kien) is in the pre-investment phase, expected to break ground after 2027.
HCMC Metro Master Plan: 220 km Target by 2035
If on plan, by 2035 HCMC residents can metro to most districts in 30-40 minutes — a complete transformation of the city's transportation landscape.
References
- VietnamNet — HCMC Metro Line 2 S10 station construction begins (April 2026)
- Tuoi Tre — Truong Chinh traffic rerouted for metro construction (April 2026)
- MAUR (HCMC Urban Railways Management Authority) — Metro Line 2 project progress
- Asian Development Bank — HCMC Urban Mass Rapid Transit Project