Metro rail is a public transportation system using electric trains running within the city, designed to transport large numbers of passengers quickly and efficiently. This is a common mode of transportation in major cities worldwide.

As a modern public transportation system, the metro offers outstanding advantages and notable benefits:

Metro is one of the safest public transportation options, designed with many modern features. It not only ensures optimal passenger safety but also provides a smooth travel experience.

With spacious and well-equipped interiors, each journey becomes more enjoyable as passengers can use their time to work, read, relax, or enjoy music.

Cleanliness is particularly emphasized - from train cars to stations - creating a fresh and comfortable travel environment. Notably, the Metro system shows thoughtful consideration for all passengers through dedicated pathways, elevators at stations, and special areas on trains for wheelchair users and other priority groups.

Metro runs on dedicated tracks, unaffected by other traffic. This outstanding advantage not only significantly reduces travel time compared to regular public transportation but also ensures schedule accuracy down to the minute - a perfect feature for modern urban journeys.

[Image caption: This is the entrance to Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien). What do you think? It's incredibly clean, beautiful, and bright, isn't it? @Traveloka Go & Share]

All stations on Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) are equipped with surveillance camera systems and modern sensors. Combined with professional security staff on regular duty, this creates an absolutely safe travel environment for all passengers.

When using the Metro, you don't have to worry about driving, finding parking, or getting stuck in traffic, helping reduce stress and increase relaxation.

Metro stations are built at locations convenient for connecting with other public transportation like buses, taxis, and have personal vehicle parking areas, helping passengers easily connect and travel to different points in the City.

Metro helps reduce the number of personal vehicles on the road, minimizing traffic congestion, especially during peak hours.

Metro uses electrical energy, helping reduce environmental emissions, creates minimal noise, contributing to protecting the environment and residents' quality of life.

Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) is one of the metro lines in Ho Chi Minh City's Urban Railway system, which began operations at 10:00 AM on December 22, 2024.

[Image caption: Traveloka is incredibly impressed by how spacious and airy this underground space is! @Traveloka Go & Share]

Traveloka knows you are very excited about Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien), especially at this time when the line has just officially started operating and has received much attention from people nationwide and particularly in Ho Chi Minh City. So let us help you answer some common questions about Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) to help first-time riders:

1. When does Ben Thanh Suoi Tien underground train operate? The Ben Thanh Suoi Tien underground train officially began operations at 10:00 AM on December 22, 2024. This is when all residents can start using Metro Line 1 for travel within Ho Chi Minh City.

2. Where does Metro Line 1 run from and to? Metro Line 1 runs from Ben Thanh Station to Suoi Tien Station with a total journey time of 29 minutes and 30 seconds, covering 19.7km. A small note: Suoi Tien Station doesn't actually stop at Suoi Tien but at the new Eastern Bus Terminal (Ben xe Mien Dong moi). Therefore, please check the map and station stops carefully before disembarking.

3. How many trains does Metro Line 1 have? Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) has a total of 51 carriages belonging to 17 trains, installed at Long Binh depot in Ho Chi Minh City.

4. Does Metro Line 1 have WiFi? Yes, Metro Line 1 has WiFi. Not only does it have WiFi, but the train's equipment system is also very comfortable and modern. Combined with large window frames, it allows you to enjoy beautiful scenery on both sides.

5. How do I know which station to get off at when riding the metro? There will always be announcements to inform passengers when approaching or arriving at each station. If you can't hear them, you can look at the route map above the train car's doors. A red dot indicates the station where you currently are.

Example: If you're traveling from Opera House Station (Ga Nha hat Thanh pho) to Suoi Tien, when you board Metro Line 1, you'll see a red dot at the Opera House Station location, while all other stations are marked with green dots.

6. What is the structure of Metro Line 1 trains?

Metro Line 1 has a total of 51 train cars. Each car is 21m long, 3m wide, and nearly 4m high. All trains on Metro Line 1 are manufactured in Japan. The elevated sections are designed for speeds up to 110 km/h, while underground sections like Ben Thanh Station, Opera House Station, and Ba Son Station are designed for speeds up to 80 km/h. The train bodies are made of aluminum alloy and painted primarily in blue.

A three-car train can accommodate up to 930 passengers (147 seated and 783 standing). It's equipped with facilities for disabled passengers, priority seats for pregnant women and elderly people. The driver's cabins are at both ends, as wide as the cars, and each has emergency exits.

7. How much are Metro Line 1 tickets? Currently, Metro Line 1 is offering free train rides for all citizens until January 22, 2025.

After that, Metro Line 1 tickets will be sold in 3 categories to serve different needs and purposes:

These ticket prices include passenger personal accident insurance for public transport services on Metro Line 1. Fare exemptions and reductions are available according to Ho Chi Minh City People's Council resolution.

Metro Line 1, Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien, follows this route:

Ben Thanh Station => Nha hat Thanh pho Station => Van Thanh Park Station => Tan Cang Station => Thao Dien Station => An Phu Station => Rach Chiec Station => Phuoc Long Station => Binh Thai Station => Thu Duc Station ¹ => Khu Cong nghe cao Station => Dai hoc Quoc gia Station => Ben xe Suoi Tien Station.

Did you know that first-time metro riders often have many questions like where to buy tickets at Ben Thanh station, where to board trains, where emergency exits are, where to park, how to access elevated stations, and where to find elevators or escalators?

Therefore, equipping yourself with the skills to read and understand the station maps of Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro will help make your journey more convenient as you can answer your own questions just by looking at the map.

The maps are very simple and easy to understand, drawn and measured with realistic simulations. Let's learn Traveloka's tips for reading the station maps of Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro!

Here, Traveloka will use two popular stations on Metro Line 1 as examples: Ben Thanh Station (underground station) and Thao Dien Station (elevated station) to help you easily imagine and visualize the differences in space and passenger pickup areas between these two types of stations! Keep reading so you don't miss any details!

Ben Thanh Station (Underground Station Type)

This is the brochure for Ben Thanh Station. You can get it at the station's reception area. With this brochure, you'll be able to learn about the bus routes to reach Ben Thanh Station as well as nearby famous tourist attractions.

In the next image, let's explore the interior space of Ben Thanh Station! From an overview, we can easily see that Ben Thanh Station is divided into 3 main levels. These include the ground floor, basement level 1, and basement level 2 (corresponding to 2 floors that will be displayed in the elevator for you to choose). Additionally, this station has 6 entrances and 2 ticket gates, as observed by Traveloka.

Note: Restrooms are only available in basement level 1.

Then, please read the legends in the right corner of the map to easily understand the symbols marked on the Ben Thanh Station map of Metro Line 1. Some key elements you need to note are: You Are Here, Emergency Exit, Ticket Gate (this is where tickets are checked before heading down to the platform), Elevator, Escalator, and Stairs.

Fun fact: "Ke ga" (platform) is a technical term used to describe the platform or station area where passengers board and alight from trains.

Now, let's focus on basement level 2 of Ben Thanh Station. For Metro Line 1 stations, trains always move in two directions - outbound and inbound. For example, from Ben Thanh Station to Suoi Tien, or from Ba Son Station back to Ben Thanh Station.

To easily identify your direction, you can listen to the announcements or simply look at the map posted in front of the train car's door, where you'll see a small white arrow. The direction that arrow points to is the direction you'll be traveling.

As shown below, we're at Ba Son Station (the text is printed larger than the other two stations) and the arrow points to the left, heading towards Van Thanh Park Station.

Unlike Ben Thanh Station which is built underground, when you arrive at Thao Dien Station, you can enjoy a panoramic view from above with a super cool perspective of Landmark 81 and other nearby skyscrapers.

This is also one of the stations where, if you take Metro Line 1 early, you can capture some awesome check-in moments by the windows~

Similarly, there are many bus routes you can use to reach Thao Dien Station.

Now, let's look at the map of Thao Dien Station area. At first glance, you can see that the layout has changed. For this station, the platform is located on the top third floor instead of being underground. A special feature of elevated stations is their open space design, which creates an incredibly airy atmosphere. Another major advantage is that on the ground floor, you can find parking areas and electric bus stops conveniently arranged nearby.

One important note when boarding trains at elevated stations of Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro Line 1 is that from the second floor (transfer level), you must choose the correct train direction before taking the stairs up. If you choose the wrong direction, you'll have to walk back down to level 2 to take the correct route, as the platform area doesn't have crossover passages to the opposite side (this is one of the key differences from underground stations - where you can change train directions within the same platform area).

If you notice, both Thao Dien and An Phu stations are built in extremely convenient locations. Just by going down to level 1 (ground floor), you'll find yourself right at Dien Bien Phu area, Binh Thanh District, or Thao Dien Mega Mall. You can easily catch a ride-hailing service or bus to explore District 2 and Landmark 81 area~

Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien) has officially begun operations, providing HCMC residents with a modern and convenient travel experience. More than just public transportation, this metro line promises to open up many opportunities for exploring Saigon from a fresh perspective. Let's join Traveloka for a quick review of some notable stations on Metro Line 1 to better understand the amenities and special features of each station!

Unlike the other 13 elevated stations, Ben Thanh Station is built completely underground with 4 basement levels, reaching a depth of 32m, width of 60m, and length of 236m, featuring 2 train tracks. This is also the first underground station in HCMC. A special feature in Ben Thanh Station's design is its skylight for natural lighting.

This skylight has a diameter of 21.6m, height of 6m, and is designed in a stylized lotus shape. Natural light penetrates through the skylight, illuminating the station's central area, creating an airy feeling and connection with nature.

Ben Thanh Station is not just a metro station - in the future, it will become an integrated complex covering an area of up to 18,000 m², incorporating various amenities such as shopping centers, entertainment areas, restaurants, and cafes... Additionally, from Ben Thanh Station, passengers can easily access famous attractions like Ben Thanh Market, Ho Chi Minh City Fine Arts Museum, Tao Dan Park, September 23 Park, and the Independence Palace...

You can see Ben Thanh Market from Ben Thanh Station of Metro Line 1 @Traveloka Go & Share

Here are some beautiful photo spots and interior views of Ben Thanh Station:

Automatic ticket vending machines at Ben Thanh Station @Traveloka Go & Share

Check-in spot at the automatic ticket vending area in Ben Thanh Station @Traveloka Go & Share

Ticket counter and Customer Information desk at Ben Thanh Station Metro Line 1 @Traveloka Go & Share

Ticket gates at Ben Thanh Station @Traveloka Go & Share

Waiting area at Ben Thanh Station @Traveloka Go & Share

Opera House Station (Ga Nha Hat Thanh Pho) is the second underground station of Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien, located in the heart of District 1, opposite the City Opera House.

Although it's also an underground station, compared to Ben Thanh Station, Opera House Station has a smaller scale, with a length of 190m, width of 26m, and depth of 33m. The station is designed with 4 levels, where B1 is the waiting hall and ticket gate area, B2 is for trains heading to Ben Thanh, B3 is the staff area, and B4 is the platform for passengers heading to Suoi Tien.

Level B2 area of Opera House Station for trains to Ben Thanh @Traveloka Go & Share

Level B4 area of Opera House Station for trains to Suoi Tien @Traveloka Go & Share

Opera House Station has 5 ground-level entrances/exits, directly connecting to important locations such as the City Opera House, Nguyen Hue Walking Street, Rex Hotel, Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee,... From here, passengers can easily access other famous tourist attractions like Ben Thanh Market, Central Post Office, Notre-Dame Cathedral, Nguyen Van Binh Book Street, Bach Dang Waterbus Station... The station is designed with two tracks, serving passenger pickup and drop-off conveniently and quickly.

Here are some tours and activity tickets you can experience while at the Opera House Station:

Ba Son Station is the last in the series of 3 underground stations of Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien, located at the intersection of Ton Duc Thang Street and Nguyen Huu Canh Street, District 1. Ba Son Station is the second-largest station on the entire line, second only to Ben Thanh Station, with a length of 237m, width of 34m, and depth of 20m. The special feature of Ba Son Station is its design in a cool ocean-inspired style, combined with modern elements, creating an impressive space.

The cool ocean-themed wall at Ba Son Station @Traveloka Go & Share | The waiting hall at Ba Son Station @Traveloka Go & Share

You can take check-in photos at the unique elevator mirror only found at Ba Son Station Metro Line 1 @Traveloka Go & Share

Ba Son Station has 4 access points, connecting to the city's main arterial roads, making it convenient for passenger movement. The station is located near famous tourist attractions such as Vinhomes Ba Son urban area and Thu Thiem 2 Bridge...

From here, passengers can easily travel to other attractions like Ton Duc Thang Museum, Ho Chi Minh City History Museum, Saigon Zoo and Botanical Gardens, Vietnam Geology Museum... The station is designed with two tracks to accommodate high passenger traffic.

Directional sign to Nguyen Huu Canh Street for accessing tourist attractions @Traveloka Go & Share

At Ba Son Station, you can access the following recreational activities:

Van Thanh Park Station marks the transition from underground to elevated sections of Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien. Located next to the expansive Van Thanh Park, the station offers an airy space with a picturesque view overlooking the poetic Saigon River. The station's architecture features a distinctive curved dome inspired by wind-filled sails, symbolizing the city's development and dynamism.

Check-in at the curved dome of Van Thanh Station @Traveloka Go & Share

Image of Metro Line 1 arriving at Van Thanh Station @Traveloka Go & Share

You can see Landmark 81 when traveling from Ba Son Station to Van Thanh Station @Traveloka Go & Share

The station is fully equipped with facilities including two tracks for passenger pickup and drop-off, a modern system of elevators and escalators, along with a pedestrian bridge directly connecting to the park. This is an ideal stop for those who want to enjoy a cool green space, relax after stressful working hours, or simply take a stroll and enjoy the charming riverside scenery.

Van Thanh Tourist Park right at the station @Traveloka Go & Share

Electric bus routes leading to Van Thanh Station Metro Line 1 @Traveloka Go & Share

Spacious parking area at Van Thanh Station @Traveloka Go & Share

Located in the bustling Tan Cang port area, Tan Cang Station bears the historical imprint of Saigon's maritime industry. The station's canopy is an impressive architectural highlight of Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien, being the largest in Vietnam (6,200m²).

Made from high-grade PTFE-coated fiberglass membrane imported from Japan, the canopy offers excellent load-bearing capacity, water resistance, fire resistance, and UV protection while helping with air conditioning. Its curved dome design is inspired by ocean waves, combining high aesthetic value while representing the city's dynamism.

The station's location is convenient for connecting to nearby areas such as Thao Dien residential area, Landmark 81, Tan Cang tourist area,...

The air-conditioned dome at Tan Cang Station @Traveloka Go & Share

Ticket gates at Tan Cang Station @Traveloka Go & Share

Information counter at Tan Cang Station @Traveloka Go & Share

Tan Cang Station is equipped with two train tracks, modern elevator and escalator systems, ensuring passenger convenience. The pedestrian bridge connects the station to surrounding roads, helping passengers easily access desired destinations such as the following activities:

Located in the heart of the bustling An Phu - An Khanh urban area, An Phu Station is one of the stations with the highest population density along Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien. The station features a simple, modern design focusing on functionality, meeting the travel needs of local residents.

You will see Minh Dang Quang Buddhist Institute on your way to An Phu Station @Traveloka Go & Share

An Phu Station is equipped with two train tracks, modern elevator and escalator systems, ensuring safety and convenience for passengers. The pedestrian bridge connects the station to nearby areas, facilitating residents' access to 2 major supermarkets and shopping centers in the area: Vincom Mega Mall Thao Dien and Mega Market An Phu.

Easy access to Mega Mall Thao Dien from An Phu Station Metro Line 1 @Traveloka Go & Share

National University Station is located near Thu Duc University Village and is the busiest station on Metro Line 1, primarily serving students and faculty members from the University Village. The station is expected to help solve transportation issues in the area while facilitating convenient travel for students' learning and research activities.

Arrival hall at HCMC National University Station @Traveloka Go & Share

The station is equipped with two train tracks, modern elevator and escalator systems, ensuring safety and convenience for passengers. The pedestrian bridge connects the station to nearby universities, helping students easily move between campuses within the National University complex. Additionally, this destination serves as a gateway for visitors to the vibrant Suoi Tien Theme Park.

Thanks to its prime location directly opposite the theme park, this station helps attract a large number of tourists, especially those wanting to save travel time with just over 20 minutes from the city center, enjoying their visit fully without worrying about traffic congestion.

Suoi Tien Theme Park located opposite National University Station @Traveloka Go & Share

Suoi Tien Bus Station is the final stop on Metro Line 1, which runs from Bến Thành to Suoi Tien, and it's located right next to the new Miền Đông Bus Terminal. This spacious station boasts a modern design, efficiently facilitating passenger transfers to and from Ho Chi Minh City and other provinces.

Equipped with dual train tracks, along with modern elevators and escalators, the station ensures passenger safety and convenience. A pedestrian bridge seamlessly connects the station to the bus terminal, making inter-provincial travel a breeze.

Pay close attention to the signs at the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro Line 1 stations, as they all have a meaning (and some are quite interesting!).

Remember to stand behind the red line and follow the directional arrows. @Traveloka Go & Share

For example, take a look at this sign. The two arrows crossing from the outside in are there to guide you in that direction so that people from inside the train can walk straight out. This way, there won't be any pushing, shoving, or collisions even during peak hours. Traveloka asked the staff and learned about this!

Also, another thing to keep in mind (and the staff will remind first-time riders) is to stand behind the red line. This is to maintain a safe distance.

We first heard and learned about the term "platform" when we took Metro Line 1 for the first time. Do you know what "platform" means? It's a specialized term used to refer to the platform where passengers board and disembark the train! | Sign indicating the platform at Ba Son Station @Traveloka Go & Share

Fare adjustment machines are commonly found at all stations on Metro Line 1 @Traveloka Go & Share

If you take Metro Line 1, you'll see fare adjustment machines near the exits, but do you know what they're for? These machines are used in situations like when you accidentally oversleep and miss your stop. In this case, you'll need to add more money to the machine to cover the cost of the trip before you can exit the station.

For underground metro stations, you can take a bus or use public bicycles to reach the station. But for elevated stations, you can ride your motorbike there and park it at the parking lot. This is a key difference between the two types of stations on Metro Line 1.

The parking lot accepts bicycles and motorbikes with fees starting from 4,000 VND and 6,000 VND, respectively, and you can park both day and night. As a bonus, there's also an electric bus stop near the parking lot. Overall, Traveloka finds it extremely convenient. Not only that, but moving around more can also improve your health.

Besides parking lots, there are also bus stations near the elevated metro stations where you can catch electric buses for onward travel. @Traveloka Go & Share

Fun fact: There are currently 150 electric buses with routes connecting to the Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien Metro Line 1 stations, operating from December 22nd. Ticket prices range from 3,000 to 6,000 VND per trip, and they run from 5:00 AM to 10:00 PM daily to provide easy access to the metro! There are about 17 electric bus routes, numbered from 153 to 169.

Each station has a different decorative style, with a unique character specific to each location. @Traveloka Go & Share

And don't forget to visit the reception areas of the stations if you have any questions or want to collect brochures for Metro Line 1. @Traveloka Go & Share

The Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien section of Metro Line 1 is one of the first metro lines in Ho Chi Minh City after many years of waiting. The stations are not only clean, beautiful, and fast, but each station also has its own unique characteristics that you have to experience to appreciate.

Traveloka recognizes the level of investment, meticulousness, and convenience of Metro Line 1 in serving the travel needs of the people. We are extremely proud of the country's development. Hopefully, if you frequently use the metro, you'll take the time to learn more about the space, functions, and significance of this place!

And don't forget, you can always book tickets for fun activities and experiences at Traveloka to fully enjoy your city exploration! Also, for those of you who are far away and planning a trip to Saigon, don't forget to book flights and hotels at Traveloka to get the best prices!