On April 29, 2026, the Binh Thanh section of Line 2 of the Ho Chi Minh City Metro in Vietnam officially started construction, marking the entry of Vietnam's first fully underground subway line into the construction fast lane. The project, invested by Changhai Group with approximately 1.4 billion US dollars, will use shield tunneling to cross the Saigon River. It is planned to be completed and put into operation by 2030, filling the gap in large-diameter shield tunneling construction in Vietnam.

1.4 billion US dollars to build the first river crossing subway

The project has a total length of about 6 kilometers, with the entire line laid underground and a total of 6 stations. The total investment is about 1.4 billion US dollars, and it is implemented using the PPP-BT model. As a key corridor connecting the city center and the new city of Ho Chi Minh City, the line not only integrates into the airport rail transit network, but also sets a record for the deepest point in Ho Chi Minh City at the Xianyi Station, with a burial depth of about 33 meters. The project is scheduled to be completed by 2030, and will adopt the highest level fully automated autonomous driving system of GoA4 to achieve unified scheduling and efficient operation. Shoutian Station has also reserved hub connection conditions with national railways and other urban rail lines.

15mm micro control underwater at a depth of 41 meters

The geological conditions in the Shoutian area are extremely complex, with weak foundations and infiltration from the Saigon River system, which imposes strict requirements on construction accuracy. According to the design standards, the displacement of the tunnel must be controlled within 15 millimeters. For the 41 meter deep Saigon River crossing section, the project has introduced the mud water balance shield tunneling technology for the first time in Vietnam, using a closed circulation mud system to maintain the pressure on the tunnel face and effectively prevent landslides and water inrush risks. In the treatment of soft soil foundation, the cement soil mixing pile method is adopted along the entire line, and a reinforcement system is constructed around the tunnel and station to ensure structural stability.

320 hectares of industrial complex supporting facilities

Changhai Group is synchronously promoting the layout of the industrial chain, constructing an industrial complex covering an area of 320 hectares, and independently producing shield tunneling equipment, tunnel components, and track parts. The group has reached a deep cooperation with Hyundai Rotem in South Korea, with the first batch of 6 trains manufactured in South Korea and subsequent trains assembled in Vietnam in the form of components. The technology transfer and personnel training program will help Vietnam's local rail transit equipment manufacturing capabilities leap forward, achieving full chain coverage from construction to equipment production. Keywords: Southeast Asian news

The Ho Chi Minh City Subway Line 2 is not only a transportation infrastructure, but also a new engine for Vietnam's industrialization and urbanization. With the collaboration of Changhai Group and international partners, this underground dragon crossing through soft soil layers and the mother river will drive Ho Chi Minh City to officially enter the era of three-dimensional rail transit in 2030 with an investment of 1.4 billion US dollars, providing a model for infrastructure upgrading in emerging markets in Southeast Asia.Editor/Cheng Liting