Ho Chi Minh City Metro Guide: Let’s Follow Mira’s Experience & Tips!

What is Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1?

Ho Chi Minh City Metro (HCMC Metro) Line 1, launched on December 22, 2024, marks a historic milestone as Vietnam’s first metro. Stretching 19.7 km from Bến Thành Market in District 1 to Suối Tiên Theme Park in Thu Duc City, this line features 14 stations—3 underground and 11 elevated. Built with 83% funding from Japan’s JICA, it cost US$1.7 billion, overcoming delays to deliver a modern transit solution for HCMC’s 9 million residents and 7 million motorbikes.

The metro’s sleek Hitachi trains, each carrying up to 930 passengers, reach speeds of 110 km/h on elevated sections and 80 km/h underground. With Vietnam’s first underground stations, including Bến Thành and the Opera House, Line 1 blends cutting-edge tech with accessibility features like braille signage and wheelchair areas. In its first four days, it served 394,967 riders, easing congestion and boosting tourism. This Ho Chi Minh City Metro Guide explores how Line 1 transforms urban travel, connecting key districts and attractions in 2025. Ready to explore? Let’s dive into the routes and destinations next!

Routes and Stations: Where Can You Go?

Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 spans 14 stations, linking District 1’s bustling core to Thu Duc City’s vibrant outskirts. Whether you’re a tourist or local, this Ho Chi Minh City Metro Guide highlights key stops and nearby attractions to plan your journey:

• Bến Thành Station (underground, District 1): Steps from Bến Thành Market, a must-visit for street food, souvenirs, and local crafts. Explore nearby Nguyen Hue Walking Street for nightlife and cafes.
• Ho Chi Minh City Opera House Station (underground, District 1): Near the iconic Saigon Opera House, perfect for cultural shows, and close to Notre-Dame Basilica and the Central Post Office.
• Ba Son Station (underground, District 1): Offers access to Bach Dang Wharf for Saigon River cruises and stunning skyline views.
• Van Thanh Park Station (elevated, Binh Thanh District): Close to Van Thanh Park, ideal for a relaxing stroll, and the Pearl Plaza shopping complex.
• Thao Dien Station (elevated, Thu Duc City): In HCMC’s expat hub, visit trendy cafes, restaurants, and bars.
• An Phu Station (elevated, Thu Duc City): Near high-end apartments and Estella Place mall and Vincom Mega Mall Thao Dien, ideal for upscale dining and luxury shopping. A pedestrian bridge on Vo Nguyen Giap Avenue connects to the station.
• Suoi Tien Bus Station (elevated, Thu Duc City): Adjacent to Suối Tiên Theme Park, a family-friendly spot with rides and cultural exhibits.

The metro connects to 17 electric bus routes (VND 3,000–5,000) for seamless travel. Check hurc.vn for a station map or download the HURC1 app to plan your route. Ready to ride? Next, let’s cover fares and ticketing!

Fares and Ticketing: What You Need to Know

Navigating the Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 is affordable and seamless. This Ho Chi Minh City Metro Guide details fares and ticketing as of May 2025:

Fares

Since January 22, 2025:

• Cash: VND 7,000–20,000 (US$0.27–0.8), e.g., VND 12,000 (0–5 km), VND 18,000 (>15 km).
• Cashless: VND 6,000–19,000, saving up to 5%.
• Passes: Day pass (VND 40,000, unlimited rides), three-day pass (VND 90,000), monthly pass (VND 300,000; students: VND 150,000). Free for seniors and the disabled.

Payment Methods

Sony FeliCa NFC smart cards (red top-up, blue single-journey). Since January 10, 2025, use Visa, JCB, American Express, UnionPay, Napas, Apple Pay, Google Pay, or Samsung Pay. From January 20, 2025, scan chip-enabled ID cards. The HURC1 app supports Momo payments with QR codes.

Note

Ticket machines accept paper money or cards. Keep tickets for exit scanning.

You can visit hurc.vn for updates. Next, my personal metro experience!

Mira’s Story of Her Experience Riding HCMC Metro Line 1

1. Getting on the HCMC Metro

This is Mira, my older daughter. She will take you on a trip from Ben Thanh Station to An Phu Station by the new HCMC Metro Line 1.

On a day in April, we got to Ben Thanh Station in the early morning by motorbike, trying to enjoy the city’s little cool weather when the sun wasn’t at its peak. Outside Ben Thanh Station was a parking lot for motorbikes, so we could park our motorbike there and walk to the station.

In the picture is Ben Thanh Station Exit 2. As it was our first time, I took a picture of the exit so we could easily find the one that we would come back to later.

The cool AC atmosphere didn’t help to cool down my uncomfortable when I had to get in line waiting to buy the paper ticket (prices are as above) while Mira and Yeye (my younger daughter) kept running around. I didn’t know why all the ticket machines got broken that day, or perhaps they hadn’t worked yet.

It took me about 20 minutes to buy the ticket, then another 20 minutes to line up for the security guys to check the ticket. Such a waste of time and inconvenience!

In the picture is when we got inside the metro area, after the security guys checked our tickets. Mira was still energized and excited for her first time riding the HCMC Metro.

There weren’t many people that day, or at least there wasn’t as crowded as when the metro opened for the residents to try for free. Some passengers were having their first experience with the metro, too. They bought the ticket to the last station.

The seats were full as they should be, and Mira and Yeye still had their priority seats (see the featured image at the top of this blog).

2. Leaving the Metro Car

Mira kept her excitement till the destination, even the hot weather outside the metro car and a long line of people waiting to check out didn’t take her energy down.

As you can see in the picture, two lines of people are checking out the metro gate manually. Two security guards helped the passengers interact with the automatic ticket gates. However, I wasn’t sure about the problem; the machine didn’t work on our turn. We then used the side gate with our paper tickets.

So Mira just shared with us her first experience with the HCMC Metro. We will give you more information about the metro in this article, make sure you read to the end. Next, our tips for using the HCMC Metro.

Tips for Using HCMC Metro Like a Local

Maximize your metro journey with these tips from our Ho Chi Minh City Metro Guide:

• Avoid Peak Crowds: Travel mid-morning or late evening, as trains run every 8 minutes during rush hours (6:00–8:00 AM, 11:00 AM–12:00 PM, 3:30–6:00 PM) and 12 minutes otherwise.
• Pay Smart: Use cashless options (e.g., Apple Pay, Momo, or cards) for discounts and speed, unless the ticket machines are broken. Smart cards or chip-enabled IDs streamline entry.
• Connect Easily: Link with 17 electric bus routes (VND 3,000–5,000) or public bikes on streets like Le Duan. Try Xanh SM electric taxis for eco-friendly travel.
• Accessibility: Utilize braille signage and wheelchair areas for inclusive travel.
• Plan Ahead: Check schedules on the HURC1 app or hurc.vn. Take a photo at Bến Thành’s 6m lotus skylight for social media.

These tips ensure a smooth ride to spots like Suối Tiên Theme Park or An Phu’s upscale malls. Share your metro snaps on X to join the buzz! Next, the metro’s future plans.

The Future of HCMC Metro: What’s Next?

Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 is the first step in a 510-km network. Line 2 (Bến Thành–Tham Luong, 11.2 km) began construction in 2024, with tunnels starting in 2025 and operations by 2030. Line 1’s extension to An Ha Depot (40.8 km total) and connections to Binh Duong and Bien Hoa are planned. Lines 3a, 3b, and 5 are in development, with Line 5 construction set for 2025–2029. Despite cost overruns (Line 1 jumped from US$668 million to US$1.7 billion), this Ho Chi Minh City Metro Guide sees HCMC becoming a transit hub by 2030. Ride Line 1 now to experience Saigon’s urban evolution!