Line 1 (Ho Chi Minh City Metro)

The line was designed by Nippon Koei (now ID&E Holdings). The above-ground section was constructed by a joint venture between the Japanese rail corporation Sumitomo Group and Vietnamese state-owned corporation Cienco 6. The underground section was constructed by two Japanese companies, Shimizu Corporation and Maeda Corporation. 83% of the project finance was provided by Japanese government loans through Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), while the rest was provided by the Vietnamese government.^[11] Engineering surveys for the geometric control of the casting of the viaduct segments, as well as the erection of the spans, were handled by the joint venture of Freyssinet (part of Soletanche Freyssinet, through its parent company Vinci), VSL, and Rizzani de Eccher.^[12][13]

On 13 September 2017, the authorities announced that Line 1 would be delayed for two years. Cost overruns, audits, and delayed payments to contractors contributed to the delay. The targeted completion date was set for 2020.^[14] Planners expect the route to serve more than 160,000 passengers daily upon launch, increasing to 635,000 by 2030 and 800,000 by 2040. All stations along the route are expected to accommodate the disabled, with automatic ticket vending machines, telephone booths, restrooms, subway doors and information bulletins accessible to the handicapped and visually impaired.

On 28 January 2019, MAUR Director of Project Management Unit Dương Hữu Hòa stated that as of December 2018, construction progress of Line 1 had reached 62%, below the target of 65%. The project has been criticised by the local press for its repeated delays.^[15]

By August 2022, the line was 92% complete. 17 Hitachi train sets arrived and are undergoing testing.^[16][17]

By February 2024, the line was now 97.5% complete. Test runs have begun, and MAUR are planning for commercial use in Q4 2024.^[18]

On 22 December 2024, the line began service.^[19] Tickets to and from all stations were free until 20 January 2025.^[20] The first four days of the line's opening served 394,967 riders.^[21]

On 21 January 2025, the line began charging passengers.^[22]

The first three stations—Ben Thanh, Opera House, and Ba Son—are underground, while the remainder are on elevated track.^[23]

Line 1's fares are as follows: