The Ho Chi Minh City People’s Committee has approved Vingroup’s proposal to study and prepare a pre-feasibility report for a major urban rail project connecting the city center to Can Gio District. The Ho Chi Minh City–Can Gio metro line will be developed under a public-private partnership (PPP).

Under this decision, Vingroup will be responsible for self-funding the research and project proposal phase without using public funds. If the proposal is not approved, the investor will bear all risks and expenses incurred during the study.

The group has 12 months to complete and submit the proposal to the relevant authorities. If the proposal is not approved or is not submitted within this period, the approval becomes void.

The city also instructed Vingroup to fully consider the feedback and assessments of all related agencies during the research and proposal process for the Ho Chi Minh City–Can Gio metro project.

Authorities emphasized that allowing Vingroup to conduct this study does not automatically designate the corporation as the project’s implementing investor. Once the project’s investment policy is approved, a public tender will be conducted to select the investor in accordance with the law.

The Department of Finance has been tasked with coordinating with relevant departments to consult experts and scientists in the field of rail transportation and guide Vingroup in preparing its proposal.

Once the proposal is complete, the Department of Finance will be responsible for receiving the documents and advising the city government on the necessary procedures for investment policy approval. The aim is to ensure the project meets quality standards, is effective, and is feasible.

The proposed Ho Chi Minh City–Can Gio metro line is approximately 48.7 km long, starting in District 7 and ending at the Can Gio sea-reclaimed urban tourism area in Long Hoa Commune, Can Gio District.

According to preliminary research, the line will be a double-track railway with a standard gauge of 1,435 mm and a maximum design speed of 250 km/h. The project will follow the build-own-operate (BOO) model under a public-private partnership.

Vingroup has announced that it will begin the pre-investment phase in 2025, during which it will prepare a pre-feasibility report to be submitted for inclusion in the urban rail development plan and for approval of the investment policy.

Construction is expected to take place between 2026 and 2027, with trial operations and project handover scheduled for 2028.

Tuan Kiet