Overview
Ho Chi Minh City's metro system is a rapid transit network that opened on 22 December 2024. Currently, one operational line (Line 1) serves the city, running from Bến Thành Market in the city centre to Suối Tiên in the northeast. As a visitor, you can purchase a ticket at a station vending machine or ticket office, tap in at the fare gates using cash or a contactless card, board your train, and tap out at your destination station. The journey takes approximately 30–32 minutes end-to-end on Line 1. During the first six months of operation, trains run from 05:00 to 22:00, departing every 8 minutes during peak hours and every 12 minutes off-peak, making the metro a reliable and fast way to avoid traffic congestion.
The network
Metro (Subway)
Line 1 (Đường sắt đô thị Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh – Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Line 1) is 19.7 km long and connects Bến Thành Market to the New Eastern Bus Terminus (Suối Tiên). The line has 14 stations: three underground (Bến Thành, Opera House, and Ba Son) and eleven elevated. The three underground stations are Vietnam's first metro stations of this type. Trains travel at up to 110 km/h on elevated sections and 80 km/h underground.
Additional lines are under construction or planned. Line 2 has two planned sections: Bến Thành to Thủ Thiêm and Bến Thành to Tham Lương, both expected to commence service in 2030. Line 12 (Bến Thành to Cần Giờ) began construction on 19 December 2025. A total network of at least eight metro and light-rail lines totalling 612.7 km is planned for completion over the coming years.
Buses
Over 170 bright green, blue, and teal city bus routes serve Ho Chi Minh City. Feeder bus routes (153–169) specifically connect to Metro Line 1 and are identified by a blue and yellow wave pattern. Local buses cost 5,000–7,000 VND per journey and are air-conditioned with cushioned seats and next-station announcements. You can flag down buses at official stops by signalling with your arm when the bus is about 100 metres away. Tickets are purchased from the conductor aboard or at the Ham Nghi Bus Transfer Station (near Bến Thành Market) or Saigon Bus Station.
Airport buses
Two direct bus routes connect Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport to the city centre. Bus 152 is a standard city bus costing 5,000 VND (with an extra 5,000 VND for luggage) and departs every 15 minutes. Bus 109 is an express bus costing 20,000 VND (with an extra 20,000 VND for luggage) and departs every 45 minutes. Tickets are purchased at the airport terminal.
Ferries
Saigon Waterbus operates service on the Saigon River from District 1 into Thủ Đức City in the north. While primarily geared towards local commuters, one stop is near the Hotel Majestic, making it accessible from the Opera House and downtown attractions.
Tickets & fares
Ticket types and validity
For the metro (Line 1), you can purchase single-journey tickets, day passes, three-day passes, and monthly passes. A single journey costs 7,000–20,000 VND depending on distance travelled (cash payment); non-cash payments receive a 1,000 VND discount. A one-day pass costs 40,000 VND, a three-day pass costs 90,000 VND, and a monthly pass costs 300,000 VND (or 150,000 VND for students). Free tickets are available for revolutionary contributors, people with disabilities, elderly passengers, and children under six years old.
Payment methods and smartcards
You can pay for metro fares using multiple methods: contactless Mastercard, Visa, JCB, American Express, UnionPay, and NAPAS cards tapped at fare gates; the HCMC Metro HURC app (using QR codes); Apple Pay, Google Pay, and Samsung Pay; and Zalopay (mobile payment). From June 1, 2025, chip-enabled Vietnamese ID cards are accepted at gates. Single-journey tickets and stored fare cards can be purchased at station vending machines (which accept cash notes up to 100,000 VND) and ticket offices. Single-journey tickets require a 15,000 VND deposit and stored fare cards require a 35,000 VND deposit; both deposits are refundable at vending machines.
First 30 days free
The metro remained free for the first 30 days after opening on 22 December 2024. Feeder bus lines connecting to Metro Line 1 were free from 22 December 2024 until the end of the metro's fare-free policy.
Bus fares
City buses cost 5,000–7,000 VND per journey. You can pay with contactless card or tap cards at fare validators aboard buses. Airport buses cost 5,000 VND (Bus 152) or 20,000 VND (Bus 109), plus extra fees for luggage.
From the airport
Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport is 8 km from the city centre. The cheapest public-transport options are the airport buses. Bus 152 (a regular city bus) costs 5,000 VND per person plus 5,000 VND for luggage, departing every 15 minutes. Bus 109 (an express bus) costs 20,000 VND per person plus 20,000 VND for luggage, departing every 45 minutes. Both buses stop at Ham Nghi Bus Transfer Station (next to Bến Thành Market, the metro's central hub) and other central locations. You can buy tickets at the airport terminal. Once in the city centre at Bến Thành, you can connect to Metro Line 1 or other bus routes.
Etiquette & customs
When using Ho Chi Minh City's public transport, observe the following customs. Queue politely at bus stops and metro ticket machines. On escalators, keep to the right to allow others to pass on the left. On crowded metro trains during rush hour (06:00–08:00, 11:00–12:00, and 15:30–18:00), be prepared for congestion and keep your belongings secure to prevent pickpocketing. Priority seating (typically near doors) is reserved for elderly passengers, people with disabilities, and expectant mothers; offer your seat if you occupy these areas and an elderly or disabled person boards.
Eating, drinking, and smoking (including e-cigarettes) are prohibited on metro trains and in stations. Avoid strong-smelling foods on public transport. Keep conversations at normal volume and lower the volume on mobile devices or headphones to avoid disturbing others. On metro platforms, stand behind the yellow safety line and do not lean on doors or place your hands near gaps between the train and platform. On buses, flag the bus down with a clear arm signal when it approaches your stop, as buses do not always come to a complete halt; press the stop button as you approach your destination. Always keep a close eye on your belongings, especially during crowded times.
Official links
Survival terms
- Đường sắt đô thị [Đường sắt đô thị] — Metro/Subway
- Vé [Vé] — Ticket
- Tuyến [Tuyến] — Line
- Lối vào [Lối vào] — Entrance
- Lối ra [Lối ra] — Exit
- Chuyển tiếp [Chuyển tiếp] — Transfer
- Giá vé một chuyến [Giá vé một chuyến] — Single fare
- Vé ngày [Vé ngày] — Day pass
Download a mapping app such as Google Maps before your trip to help navigate bus routes and plan your journey, as it displays route numbers, frequencies, and destinations in English and works reliably across the city.