Metro lines are not just a means of transportation but also an opportunity to change Vietnamese commuters’ traffic culture.

The first metro line in Ho Chi Minh City, set to begin operations on December 22, marks a milestone in the southern metropolis's push for modern infrastructure.

In Hanoi, the launch of the Cat Linh-Ha Dong and Nhon-Hanoi Station metro lines sparked significant public interest.

Large crowds, drawn by curiosity, continue to gather, sometimes jostling for a chance to experience the new transit system.

However, some users remain unfamiliar with metro rules, often keeping their tickets by mistake instead of returning them before exiting the stations.

Others have raised concerns about individuals posing for photos, causing congestion by blocking walkways and station entrances.

During the initial days of metro operations in Hanoi, some passengers disregarded the rules, littering at stations and chatting noisily despite clear signage.

Others left messes in areas under staircases leading to the platforms.

More concerning, a few passengers ignored safety warnings by jumping onto the tracks to retrieve dropped items, temporarily disrupting train services.

Over time, however, public awareness has significantly improved.

Stations and trains are now kept clean, and the behavior of passengers has become more orderly.

Metro staff have played a crucial role in this transformation, demonstrating professionalism and a willingness to assist riders as they adapt to the new system.

This reflects the high-quality training provided by the metro operator.

Locals have embraced the idea that modern transportation requires a heightened sense of civic responsibility.

Using clean, comfortable, and modern metro services has encouraged passengers to adopt better hygiene, maintain order, and demonstrate more civilized behavior.

This shift is a promising sign of progress in urban traffic culture, particularly in major cities like Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City.

The Ho Chi Minh City metro will be Vietnam's third operational line but the first to feature an underground section.

To familiarize residents with the new system, the city has announced 30 days of free travel on the metro and 17 feeder bus routes.

This initiative aims to ease the transition for commuters while offering an opportunity to promote metro usage and educate the public on proper travel etiquette.

Ho Chi Minh City can learn from Hanoi’s experience by increasing staff specifically tasked with managing passengers and handling unexpected situations.

Fostering a culture of queuing, adhering to regulations, and maintaining a polite demeanor on trains not only enhances the image of metro services but also raises public awareness about respecting shared spaces.

Young people, in particular, can play a vital role in promoting and spreading these civilized behaviors throughout the community.

An employee at Cau Giay Station on Hanoi’s Nhon-Hanoi Station metro line noted that the station is equipped with dustbins, and most passengers responsibly dispose of their trash.

Instances of littering on the floor are rare, thanks to frequent cleaning to remove dust and dirt brought in by passengers’ shoes.

Similarly, a security guard at Nhon Station observed that residents are becoming more accustomed to metro trains. Reckless behaviors, such as standing too close to the tracks for photos, have noticeably declined.

During peak hours, metro employees repeatedly remind passengers not to stand in dangerous zones.

Vu Hong Truong, general director of Hanoi Metro, said in addition to becoming a new form of transportation in the capital city, the metro is also forming a new traffic culture.

Residents have gradually changed their travel habits to use public transport services in a civilized, safe, and friendly manner.

Before the metro opening, the general public hesitated to walk short distances preferring to drive; however, after the metro operations, many people walk one to two kilometers to reach metro stations, thus reducing personal vehicles and traffic congestion.

The inaugural metro line in Ho Chi Minh City spans from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc City.

The first metro line is 19.7 kilometers long, including 2.6 kilometers of underground urban rail link and 17.1 kilometers of elevated track, carrying a price tag of VND43.7 trillion (US$1.7 billion).

The line consists of seventeen trains with a 930-passenger capacity, including 147 sitting and 783 standing.

The first metro line project was launched in 2006, and construction began in 2012.

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