A representative from the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA) expressed hope for early discussions with the Vietnamese government on policies and solutions to potential challenges in future cooperation projects during a meeting on Saturday regarding Ho Chi Minh City's Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line No. 1.

The metro line, which commenced commercial operations on Sunday, was primarily financed through Japanese official development assistance loans.

Fukuda Chihiro, deputy chief representative of JICA in Vietnam, addressed several unexpected challenges that have hindered the progress of Ho Chi Minh City’s Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien metro line No. 1, including delays in relocating underground facilities, changes in technical specifications, rising material costs, and payment disputes during construction.

Fukuda noted that such issues are not unique to this project but are common in other large-scale infrastructure developments.

Both JICA and Ho Chi Minh City authorities have worked to find solutions; however, Vietnam’s complex procedural requirements have further slowed project progress.

As a result, JICA suggested the Vietnamese government weigh simplifying procedures to ensure the effectiveness of cooperation projects in the future.

After metro line No. 1 is put into operation, JICA will continue to hold meetings with the Ho Chi Minh City Management Authority for Urban Railways and the municipal administration to deal with unresolved issues, the JICA representative added.

For metro line projects in the future, JICA proposed special mechanisms and policies for Ho Chi Minh City, such as those in project management.

JICA also urged the city to employ the transit-oriented development model to develop the public transport system to diversify capital resources for urban railway projects.

Fukuda emphasized that JICA wants to contribute to Ho Chi Minh City’s socio-economic growth through the maiden metro line.

In the future, if Vietnam needs any support in urban railway projects, JICA hopes to be able to have meetings with the national government to discuss the cooperation.

Metro line No. 1, the first of the city’s eight planned urban railway projects, broke ground in August 2012 with a total investment of VND43.7 trillion (US$1.72 billion).

The line is 19.7 kilometers long, including 2.6 kilometers of underground railway and 17.1 kilometers of elevated track, stretching from Ben Thanh in District 1 to Suoi Tien Coach Station in Thu Duc.

It has 17 trains, each of which consists of three carriages that can accommodate a total 930 passengers, including 147 sitting and 783 standing. 

The train can run at a maximum speed of 110kph on its elevated sections and 80kph underground.

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