Preparations underway for two metro lines connecting to Long Thanh Airport

Two urban railway projects, the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh metro line and the extension of the Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line to Dong Nai City’s administrative center and Long Thanh International Airport, are being accelerated by Dong Nai City and Ho Chi Minh City to complete procedures for construction commencement.

Among these projects, Ho Chi Minh City aims to begin construction of the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh metro line in July 2026.

Strengthening transport connectivity to Long Thanh Airport

According to the plan, by the end of 2026, Long Thanh Airport will be basically completed and put into operation for phase 1. Therefore, the completion of the transport system, including road and rail lines connecting this airport with Ho Chi Minh City, is being accelerated by Dong Nai city, localities, and relevant agencies.

Ho Van Ha, Member of the Dong Nai City Party Committee and Vice Chairman of the Dong Nai City People’s Committee, together with representatives of units surveying the map of metro lines connecting Long Thanh Airport.

For road infrastructure, multiple major projects are currently being expedited, including the expansion of the Ho Chi Minh City–Long Thanh–Dau Giay Expressway, the construction of the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau and Ben Luc–Long Thanh expressways, Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 3, and Roads 25B and 25C.

Among these projects, the Bien Hoa–Vung Tau Expressway has brought the entire main route into operation. For the Ben Luc–Long Thanh Expressway, the final components are being accelerated and are expected to complete construction and enter full operation in September 2026. Alongside this, the Ho Chi Minh City–Long Thanh–Dau Giay Expressway is undergoing expansion from four lanes to eight to ten lanes. The project is largely expected to be completed by the end of 2026, while the Long Thanh Bridge component is scheduled for completion in the second quarter of 2027.

For Ho Chi Minh City’s Ring Road 3, localities along the route aim to complete the project in June 2026.

According to Deputy Minister of Construction Le Anh Tuan, by the end of 2026, the road transport system connecting Long Thanh Airport with Ho Chi Minh City will be a continuous, integrated, and interconnected system.

For the railway system, in addition to the North–South High-Speed Railway Project, to serve the connection of Long Thanh Airport with Ho Chi Minh City, Dong Nai and Ho Chi Minh City will invest in building the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh metro line and extending the Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line to the administrative center of Dong Nai city, Long Thanh Airport.

Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City authorities have instructed agencies to mobilize resources and complete procedures to break ground on the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh metro line before July 2, 2026. The line is expected to include 19 stations and serve as a major connection between the city center and Long Thanh Airport.

For the extension of the Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line to Dong Nai City’s administrative center and Long Thanh Airport, Dong Nai authorities are accelerating investment procedures to start construction within 2026.

According to Ho Van Ha, Member of the City Party Committee, Vice Chairman of Dong Nai City People's Committee, Dong Nai’s objective in investing in the extension of the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line to the city's administrative center, Long Thanh Airport, is to form a metro line connecting with the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien metro line, running continuously from the station in the Long Thanh Airport area to Ben Thanh Station. This initiative will shorten the travel time from Long Thanh Airport to the center of Ho Chi Minh City to about 30 minutes.

Ensuring synchronization across the projects

Currently, three railway projects are simultaneously undergoing investment procedures in the Long Thanh Airport area. As a result, reviewing and coordinating railway planning has become increasingly urgent.

On May 20, Deputy Minister of Construction Bui Xuan Dung conducted field inspections and met with relevant agencies regarding railway investments passing through the Long Thanh Airport area.

The extension of the Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line will span approximately 41.4 kilometers and include three major sections. Meanwhile, the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh metro line will extend about 41.8 kilometers, including 11.7 kilometers within Ho Chi Minh City and more than 30 kilometers through Dong Nai.

Following the meeting, the Ministry of Construction concluded that, in addition to the North–South high-speed railway and the Thu Thiem–Long Thanh line, extending the Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line to Dong Nai City’s administrative center and Long Thanh Airport is necessary. The ministry assigned the Vietnam Railway Authority to coordinate with the Thang Long Project Management Board and agencies from Dong Nai City and Ho Chi Minh City, the Airports Corporation of Vietnam (ACV), and consultants to carefully evaluate alternatives to maximize feasibility and investment efficiency while minimizing impacts on approved planning and ongoing projects. Authorities are also required to ensure clear project boundaries and synchronization in construction, operation, maintenance, and passenger transfers between railway stations.

After completing the reviews, the Dong Nai City People's Committee has instructed consultants to finalize the documents and submit the proposals to the Ministry of Construction, the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, and ACV to agree on a final implementation plan before moving forward.

By Pham Tung – Translated by Mai Nga, Minho