Metro Line No. 1: Explore Details and Everything You Need to Know

Are you looking for detailed information about Metro Line No. 1 Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien, Ho Chi Minh City's first urban railway line? Do you want to know about its route, ticket prices, operating hours, and essential tips for using this metro line?

This article will provide you with all the relevant details to help you easily explore and enjoy a modern and convenient commuting experience. Let’s dive in with Huttons VN!

Overview of Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien

Some features of the urban railway system in Ho Chi Minh City

The urban railway system in Ho Chi Minh City (Ho Chi Minh City Metro – HCMC Metro) is developed to include 8 metro lines with a total length of 169 km, 1 tramway line of 12.8 km and 2 monorail lines of 43.7 km long.

The urban railway system has 175 stations with a total system length of 225.5 km.

Metro Line No. 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien is the first line deployed in the system with a total length of 19.7 km, started construction in 2013 and has been officially put into commercial operation since December 2024.

Introduction to Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien

Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien, also known as Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien Metro Line, is one of the key transportation projects of Ho Chi Minh City. This is the first line in the city’s urban railway system, 19.7 km long, connecting the center of District 1 with the eastern area, specifically Thu Duc City and part of Binh Duong province.

The starting point of metro line 1 is located at Ben Thanh market, going underground from Ben Thanh station through the City Theater station, Ba Son station, crossing the Saigon river then running along Vo Nguyen Giap street and Hanoi highway ending at Long Binh Depot.

The entire line 1 includes 14 stations and 1 Depot, including:

• 3 underground stations (Ben Thanh, City Theater and Ba Son)
• The remaining 11 stations are elevated stations (from Van Thanh Park station to Suoi Tien bus station), the elevated stations all have parking lots below the station.

The depot of Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien is located in Long Binh ward, Thu Duc city, this is considered the "brain" of the control center and maintenance of train cars of Line 1. Besides, Long Binh depot is also one of the 10 largest depots that have been and are being built according to the urban railway development plan of Ho Chi Minh City.

The designed speed of train line 1 is 110km/h (elevated section), 80km/h (tunnel section), 35km/h at the entrance to the station and 25km/h when arriving at the station with a track gauge of 1,435m.

Future Metro lines connecting to Metro line 1

In the future, line 1 will be extended from Suoi Tien station to Binh Duong new city and to Bien Hoa city, Dong Nai province.

According to the design, in the future, by traveling on metro line 1, it is possible to connect with:

• Metro line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong), line 3A (Ben Thanh – Tan Kien) and line 4 (Thanh Xuan – Hiep Phuoc) at Ben Thanh station
• Metro line 5 (Tan Cang - Can Giuoc bus station) at Tan Cang station
• Tramway line T1 (Ba Son - Mien Tay Bus Station) at Ba Son station
• Monorail line MR2 (Thanh Da – Nguyen Van Linh) at Thao Dien station

Detailed information about Metro line 1

List of stations on Metro Line 1

14 stations of Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien (Photos source: Internet)

Route map

Train schedule

Metro Line 1 schedule when in commercial operation will operate from 5:00 a.m. to 11:30 p.m. every day, with each trip about 4 to 10 minutes apart depending on peak or off-peak hours of the day. The train stops to pick up and drop off passengers at the station for 30 seconds.

However, in the first 6 months, Metro Line 1 will operate from 5am and end at 10pm, with regular intervals of 8-12 minutes/trip.

After 6 months of operating the first phase, the next phase of Metro Line 1 will extend its operating time to 11:30 p.m. daily, with peak hour trip frequency of 5 minutes/trip (from Monday to Friday) and 8 minutes/trip (Saturday and Sunday), compared to the normal time of 10 minutes/trip and off-peak hour of 15 minutes/trip.

Pedestrian bridge system connecting the station

Location of 9 stations of metro line 1 with pedestrian bridgesAlong metro line 1 in the elevated sections, there are a total of 9 pedestrian bridges located at the stations: Tan Cang, Thao Dien, An Phu, Rach Chiec, Phuoc Long, Binh Thai, Thu Duc, high-tech park and National University station. The pedestrian bridges are mainly located on Vo Nguyen Giap Avenue - Hanoi Highway connecting to the station's transit floor. Depending on the location, each bridge is 80-150 m long, about 3.5 m wide, and nearly 5 m high.

Long Binh Depot: The "Brain" of Metro Line No. 1

Long Binh Depot, located in Long Binh ward, Thu Duc city, Ho Chi Minh city, with an area of ​​about 20.9 hectares, is the control and maintenance center for 17 trains of metro line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien).

Considered the “brain” of metro line 1, this depot includes operational buildings, maintenance workshops, train parking lots with dozens of scientifically arranged rails, along with a roof system to reduce heat for train cabins and maintenance infrastructure for other rail equipment, electrical, signal, and communication systems; train parking lots; train cleaning stations; internal road networks inside and outside the area; and office areas.

In addition to being the place where trains are gathered after each day of operation, Long Binh depot also takes on the role of inspection, repair and maintenance, ensuring that trains are always in the best condition to serve passengers.

Metro Line 1 Ticket Price List

Ticket price summary table

With the modern ticketing system at Metro, people not only save time but also:

• Insurance and fares: Each train ticket is insured, fares are clearly listed at the stations.
• Excess ticket: If you go past the station, you just need to buy an additional ticket for the difference.
• Ticket Refund: Tickets can be refunded or exchanged if unused.
• Offer: People with revolutionary contributions, people with disabilities, seniors aged 60 and over and children under 6 years old when traveling with an adult will receive free train tickets.
• Buy tickets quickly: Buy bullet train tickets in just a few seconds with the automatic ticket collection system. People can pay by many forms such as bank cards, Visa/Mastercard, citizen identification cards or via mobile applications.

Instructions for using the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien Metro line

Instructions for buying train tickets

To buy tickets for metro line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien, you can do one of the following:

1. Use HCMC Metro HURC application on phone:

Download the HCMC Metro HURC app on Google Play Store (for Android operating system) or App Store (for iOS operating system) then buy tickets right on the app and create a QR code to take the train.

2. Use payment card

Passengers can use Mastercard, Visa, JCB, American Express, Union Pay, Napas cards to scan at gates equipped with readers.

3. Buy tickets directly at the automatic ticket machine

Train cards used on Metro Line 1 use IC cards (Integrated circuit - contactless smart cards) with 2 different versions, including:

• High security cards are used for reload cards (SFC – Stored Fare Card/Day Ticket), day tickets, with red design.
• The medium security card is used for single journey tickets (SJT), which have a blue design.

The steps to buy tickets at the automatic ticket machine are as follows:

Step 1: Select destination -> Select day ticket -> Select appropriate ticket price according to your needs

Step 2: Select the number of tickets you want to buy

Step 3: Insert money into the machine

Steps to top up a recharge card:

Step 1: Place the SFC ticket in the booking tray

Step 2: Select the amount to deposit

Step 3: Insert money into the machine

When going past the stop, passengers need to adjust the ticket price at the adjustment machine to match the ticket purchase step or top up before swiping the card to leave the station.

Instructions for taking Metro Line 1

Step 1: Schedule your trip

Plan your trip accordingly, identify the stop. Find and board the station that is closest to the passenger. Metro Line 1 has two train directions:

• Direction from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien.
• Direction from Suoi Tien to Ben Thanh.

Passengers should take care to find the correct train direction according to the schedule. Information, maps and route directions can be found at all stations.

Step 2: Buy tickets/boarding passes

Buy train tickets/cards according to the instructions in the previous section or as instructed by the ticket machine/station staff.

Step 3: Check tickets

Check your card/ticket at the automatic ticket gate. If the ticket is valid, the machine will beep and open the gate for the passenger to pass through. Follow the signs to the correct train direction according to the schedule and move to the waiting area. Remember to keep your ticket to repeat the ticket checking steps again at the Arrival Station.

Step 4: Wait for the train

Waiting for the train. Passengers move to the platform area and wait to board the next train.

• Line up and wait for the train according to the lines on the platform.
• Do not stand near the train while it is running.
• Let passengers on the train get off first before boarding.

Step 5: On the train

Boarding the train. Passengers need to follow the information of the station they have just passed and the next station on the train's itinerary screen and the train's loudspeaker system.

• Identify transfer stations using the train route map.
• Priority seats are given to the elderly, the disabled, pregnant women and children.
• Maintain cleanliness and order on board.
• Be careful not to lean against train doors, especially when the train is in a station.

Step 6: Get off the train, end of journey

At the arrival station, passengers get off the train to the ticket gate and repeat step 3. Passengers find the appropriate station exit according to the signs inside the station to go to the desired destination.

Bus system to Metro Line 1 station

To help residents access the metro conveniently, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Transport has launched 17 new electric bus routes connecting the stations. These routes are subsidized, run on environmentally friendly electricity, and help reduce emissions and noise...

Bus routes cover many important locations such as residential areas, schools, shopping malls, industrial parks, etc., connecting directly to metro stations, helping people easily move between urban and suburban areas.

List of 17 electric bus routes connecting Metro Line 1 stations:

Real estate projects along Metro Line 1

The 9 Stellars

• Address: Hoang Huu Nam Street, Long Binh Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City
• Developer: SonKim Land
• Type: Complex project includes villas, townhouses, apartments, commercial - services, offices, community facilities, ...
• Sub-areas that have been and are being developed: Alta Height, Alta Villa, The Alpha Residence
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Suoi Tien Terminal Station (<10 minutes drive)
• Status: Under Construction

Lancaster Legacy

• Address: 230 Nguyen Trai St., Nguyen Cu Trinh Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Developer: Trung Thuy Group
• Type: Luxury apartment project, shophouse, commercial and service podium
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Ben Thanh Station (<10 minutes drive)
• Status: Roofed, finishing

Grand Marina Saigon

• Address: 2 Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Developer: Masterise Homes
• Type: Project of luxury apartments, serviced apartments, shophouses, villas
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Ba Son Station (<5 minutes drive)
• Status: First tower handed over (2023), completing remaining towers.

Vinhomes Golden River

• Address: Ton Duc Thang, Ben Nghe Ward, District 1, Ho Chi Minh City
• Developer: Vinhomes
• Type: Luxury apartment project, serviced apartment, shophouse
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Ba Son Station (<10 minutes drive)
• Status: Handed over (2018)

Vinhomes Central Park

• Address: Vinhomes Tan Cang, Ward 22, Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City
• Developer: Vinhomes
• Type: Project of luxury apartments, serviced apartments, shophouses, villas
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Tan Cang Station (<10 minutes drive)
• Status: Handed over (2016)

Sunwah Pearl

• Address: 90 Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh, Phường 22, Quận Bình Thạnh, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
• Developer: Sunwah Group
• Type: Dự án căn hộ
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Tan Cang Station (<10 minutes drive)
• Status: Đã bàn giao (2020)

Masteri An Phu

• Address: 179 Võ Nguyên Giáp, Phường An Phú, Thành phố Thủ Đức, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
• Developer: Masterise Homes
• Type: Luxury apartment project, serviced apartment, shophouse
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Nhà ga An Phú (<10 phút di chuyển)
• Status: Đã bàn giao (2019)

LUMIÈRE riverside

• Address: 259 Võ Nguyên Giáp, Phường An Phú, Thành phố Thủ Đức, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
• Developer: Masterise Homes
• Type: Dự án căn hộ, căn hộ dịch vụ, shophouse
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Nhà ga An Phú (<15 phút di chuyển)
• Status: Đã bàn giao (2023)

Masteri Thao Dien

• Address: 159 Võ Nguyên Giáp, Phường Thảo Điền, Thành phố Thủ Đức, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
• Developer: Masterise Homes
• Type: Dự án căn hộ, căn hộ dịch vụ, shophouse
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Nhà ga An Phú (<5 phút di chuyển)
• Status: Handed over (2016)

Estella Heights

• Address: 88 Song Hành, Phường An Phú, Thành phố Thủ Đức, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
• Developer: Keppel
• Type: Dự án căn hộ, căn hộ dịch vụ, shophouse
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Nhà ga An Phú (<15 phút di chuyển)
• Status: Đã bàn giao (2019)

Lavita Garden, Lavita Charm

• Address: 17 Đường số 3, Phường Trường Thọ, Thành phố Thủ Đức, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
• Developer: Hưng Thịnh Land
• Type: Dự án căn hộ chung cư
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Nhà ga Bình Thái (<10 phút di chuyển)
• Status: Handover

Saigon Gateway

• Address: 702 Võ Nguyên Giáp, Phường Hiệp Phú, Thành phố Thủ Đức, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
• Developer: Công ty Cổ phần BĐS Hiệp Phú
• Type: Dự án căn hộ chung cư
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Nhà ga Thủ Đức (<10 phút di chuyển)
• Status: Handover

Centum Weath Complex

• Address: Phan Chu Trinh, Phường Hiệp Phú, Thành phố Thủ Đức, Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh
• Developer: Bach Phu Thinh Company Limited
• Type: Dự án căn hộ chung cư
• Get to the nearest Metro station: Nhà ga Thủ Đức (<15 phút di chuyển)
• Status: Handover

Những địa điểm tham quan và vui chơi không thể bỏ lỡ dọc tuyến Metro số 1

Source: Internet