ADB Grants US$540 Million to Improve HCMC Transport

The Asian Development Bank (ADB) and the Government of Vietnam have signed a US$540 million loan agreement for construction of an urban mass rapid transit line to reduce traffic congestion in Ho Chi Minh City.

 

Ho Chi Minh City is the largest city in Vietnam, and its current population of over 9 million is expected to grow to almost 14 million by 2025. Private vehicles dominate the city’s transportation, but road infrastructure is reaching the saturation point. Traffic in the city will continue to worsen as more motorbike users convert to cars as their incomes increase.

 

As an integral part of the first three mass rapid transit lines being developed in the city, the second 11.3-kilometre line will run 9.3 kilometres underground with 2 kilometres of elevated and transition track. This line stretches from Ben Thanh in the downtown to Tham Luong through Tan Son Nhat Airport. The loan will add ADB to the list of financiers supporting the development of Ho Chi Minh City’s urban transportation system development.