Light rail transit to link HCMC urban area with new airport

Deputy Prime Minister Le Van Thanh Wednesday asked the Ministry of Transport to work with HCMC and its neighboring province of Dong Nai, home to the airport, on getting the project implemented.

The light rail transit route will run 38km (23.6 miles) and cost an estimated VND40.5 trillion ($1.75 billion) to build.

The first phase of the Long Thanh airport, which will be the biggest one in the country, is expected to be completed for commercial use in 2025.

The deputy PM also asked the ministry to work with the provinces of Dong Nai and Ba Ria – Vung Tau, which also borders HCMC, on the construction of a light rail transit route between the former’s Bien Hoa Town and the latter’s beach town of Vung Tau.

The 84km Bien Hoa – Vung Tau railway is estimated to cost more than VND50 trillion.

Light rail transit is a form of urban passenger transportation that combines tram and metro features, operating at a higher capacity and speed than traditional trams.

Both the light rail transit routes are listed under national projects that Vietnam will seek foreign investments for in the 2021-2025 period. They are also included in Vietnam’s railway network plans for the 2021-2030 period.