The history of the Ho Chi Minh City Metro began in the early 2000s as the rapidly growing city sought to reduce traffic congestion and modernize its public transportation system. Construction of the first metro line started in 2012 after years of planning and international cooperation. Following several delays, Line 1 officially opened in 2024, connecting Ben Thanh Market with Suoi Tien in the eastern part of the city. The new metro marked a major milestone as Vietnam's first urban rapid transit system. Additional metro lines are planned to expand the network across the metropolitan area, providing faster and more sustainable transportation for millions of residents and supporting the city's continued economic growth.