Saigon Trading Group (SATRA) has reported impressive revenue of over VND200 million (US$7,800) after two months of operating 24 automated vending machines at 14 stations along Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line.

The link, which runs from Ben Thanh Station in downtown District 1 to Suoi Tien Coach Station in Thu Duc City, a district-level unit under Ho Chi Minh City, began commercial operations in December last year.

Lam Quoc Thanh, general director of SATRA, stated that the installation of these vending machines, stocked with drinks, at metro stations had resulted in positive sales within just two months.

Apart from the vending machine model, the company aims to introduce more modern retail solutions within the metro system, in a bid to offer a diverse range of products at competitive prices. 

In addition, SATRA plans to launch promotional programs to stimulate consumer demand.

SATRA’s leadership hoped that integrating the firm’s services with the metro will not only boost the retail sector, but also help elevate the image of Vietnamese products in the marketplace. 

With the modern metro system, Vietnamese goods will serve both local customers and international visitors.

“The connection between SATRA, Vietnamese brands, and the metro system will form a modern, civilized retail ecosystem that aligns with the city’s development trends,” said Thanh.

Recognizing the significant potential of the metro system, the firm is working on expanding its modern retail model to include convenience stores, mobile retail points, and fast-food outlets at metro stations.

SATRA is currently collaborating with over 1,000 suppliers, with a focus on green products and high-quality local goods. 

Economic potential along the metro line

During a strategic partnership signing ceremony between SATRA and Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway No. 1 Company Limited (HURC1) for the 2025-28 period on Thursday, Nguyen Van Dung, vice-chairman of Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, revealed that the city aims to develop metro lines spanning a total of 355 kilometers by 2035.

The total length is set to exceed 500 kilometers by 2045.

As planned, work on the city’s second metro line will start in late 2025.

The city’s future expansion will drive the need to extend the urban rail system.

Many routes will be opened to connect Thu Duc City with Binh Duong Province, Tan Son Nhat International Airport with Long Thanh International Airport, and the heart of Ho Chi Minh City with outlying Can Gio District.

However, it is crucial to optimize the economic ecosystem surrounding these connections.

For example, the underground areas around metro stations could serve not only as transportation hubs but also as commercial and service centers, fueling economic value.

The city needs a comprehensive strategy to fully harness the economic value brought by the metro, rather than viewing it as a transportation system, Dung emphasized.

HURC1 was tasked not only with operating the metro system, but also with developing a commercial ecosystem that serves passengers.

In February, Saigon Co.op and HURC1 also signed a partnership agreement to enhance the experience for metro passengers, marking a significant step towards commercially tapping the spaces at the metro stations of the first metro line.

The city’s first metro line spans 19.7 kilometers, including 2.6 kilometers of underground rail and 17.1 kilometers of elevated track, with a total cost of $1.7 billion.

Construction on the metro line project started in 2012.

The link operates with 17 trains, each capable of carrying 930 passengers.

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