In a vibrant display of excitement, thousands of Ho Chi Minh City residents packed into train carriages on Sunday to celebrate the opening of the city’s first-ever metro line. The long-awaited event marks a significant milestone for Vietnam’s bustling commercial capital, which has faced years of delays in bringing this ambitious project to fruition.
Queues snaked out of every station along the $1.7 billion line, which stretches nearly 20 kilometers from the heart of the city. Among the eager passengers were women adorned in traditional “ao dai” dresses, soldiers in uniform, and families with young children, all waiting with anticipation to board the inaugural trains.
Office worker Nguyen Nhu Huyen captured the moment with a selfie in the crowded carriage, expressing her pride: “I know it’s late, but I still feel so very honored to be among the first on this metro. Our city is now on par with other major cities around the world.”
The journey to this historic day has been a lengthy one, spanning 17 years. Initially approved in 2007 with a projected cost of $668 million, the project faced numerous challenges that pushed its completion far beyond the original timeline. Construction began in 2012, with authorities promising the line would be operational within five years. However, delays piled up as the city’s population of nine million residents continued to swell, exacerbating traffic congestion and pollution.
Deputy Mayor Bui Xuan Cuong emphasized the metro’s importance in addressing these issues, stating, “The metro meets the growing travel needs of residents and contributes to reducing traffic congestion and environmental pollution.” He acknowledged the “countless hurdles” that had to be overcome to bring the project to life.
As the first passengers rode the new line, a sense of accomplishment filled the air, symbolizing a new era for transportation in Ho Chi Minh City.
+ There are no comments
Add yours