Ho Chi Minh City plans 120 kph metro link to $13B Long Thanh airport

The line connects with the Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem metro at Thu Thiem, Metro Line 6 at Ring Road 2 and Phu Huu, and Metro Line 10 at Long Truong. It also meets the Vung Tau-Ba Ria-Phu My line and the North-South high-speed railway at the station inside Long Thanh airport.

Trains will run at 80-110 kph depending on the section, under GoA4 automation, the highest grade under international rail standards with no driver or attendant on board. Rolling stock, signaling and power systems match those of the Ben Thanh-Thu Thiem metro. Peak capacity is nearly 47,000 passengers an hour.

Phase one carries a preliminary cost of VND134.169 trillion, excluding land clearance. The investor would raise the capital under a build-transfer contract and be repaid with land and state budget funds. Completion is set for 2030.

Long Thanh airport is due to open to commercial flights on Dec. 1. The National Assembly signed off on VND336.63 trillion (US$13 billion) in 2015 for a three-phase build-out. The first phase, at roughly VND110 trillion, covers a single terminal sized for 25 million passengers a year.