The first sod has been turned on the construction of Ho Chi Minh City’s new and improved Mien Dong (Eastern) Bus Station.

The groundbreaking ceremony was organized on Wednesday morning by the Saigon Transportation Mechanical Corporation (SAMCO), the project’s developer.

Speaking at the event, Le Van Khoa, vice-chairman of the municipal People’s Committee, stated that the project is a key part of the city’s effort to move current bus stations from the inner city to suburban areas.

The bus station will facilitate transportation between the southern metropolis and provinces east of the city, Khoa said, adding that it is expected to mitigate congestion and traffic accidents in the city, thus boosting local socio-economic development.

The official also thanked local residents for their cooperation in relocating for the execution of the project and requested that competent authorities provide favorable conditions for SAMCO to complete the project and begin operating the new Mien Dong station within this year.

The city’s administration asked the project developer to ensure the quality of the facility, schedule of the construction, and labor safety throughout the process.

Construction of the new Mien Doing station was initiated on April 26, 2017. Photo: Tuoi Tre

According to Tran Quoc Toan, general director of SAMCO, the new bus station will cover 16 hectares, three times larger than the current station.

Mien Dong Station is expected to serve over seven million passengers per year by facilitating bus travel to provinces east of the city and localities in the central and northern parts of Vietnam. 

While the current Mien Dong Station is located in Binh Thanh District, the new one will be located in District 9, Ho Chi Minh City and Di An District in neighboring Binh Duong Province.

The soon-to-be-finished station will be equipped with a multi-story parking lot, maintenance center, filling station, and shopping area.

The first phase of the construction will focus on the central station, which is planned to house four floors, a two-level basement, and several other amenities.

The new station is also planned to connect with metro line No. 1, linking Ben Thanh Terminal in District 1 with Suoi Tien Terminal in District 9.

The total capital investment for the project is estimated at VND4 trillion (US$176.4 million), including the cost to clear the area for construction.

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