Getting around

Ho Chi Minh City metro guide for visitors

Metro Line 1 is the fastest way to cross the eastern half of the city: air-conditioned, cheap and easy to use with a contactless bank card. Here is everything a visitor needs, checked against official sources.

Line 1 · Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien

14 stations, about 20 km, roughly 30 minutes end to end. Orange dots are the stops most visitors use.

  1. Ben ThanhundergroundBen Thanh Market, Bui Vien Street, Tao Dan Park
  2. Opera HouseundergroundOpera House, Nguyen Hue walking street; Notre Dame and the Post Office a short walk away
  3. Ba SonundergroundBach Dang Wharf and the riverside park
  4. Van Thanh Park
  5. Tan CangLandmark 81 and Vinhomes Central Park
  6. Thao DienCafes, restaurants and boutiques of the expat quarter
  7. An PhuVincom Mega Mall
  8. Rach Chiec
  9. Phuoc Long
  10. Binh Thai
  11. Thu DucThu Duc Market
  12. High-Tech Park
  13. National University
  14. Suoi Tien Bus StationEnd of the line; Suoi Tien Theme Park is nearby

Hours

  • Mon–Fri: 5:00 am – 10:00 pm
  • Weekends and holidays: until 11:00 pm
  • Every 6–8 min at rush hour, 10–12 min otherwise

Fares

  • Single trip: 7,000–20,000 dong cash, 1,000 less by card or app
  • 1-day pass: 40,000 dong
  • 3-day pass: 90,000 dong

How to pay

  • Tap your bank card or phone at the gate (Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex, UnionPay, Apple Pay, Samsung Pay). Use the same card to tap out.
  • Ticket machines take cash (1,000–200,000 dong notes) and issue a card with a refundable deposit.
  • HCMC Metro app: buy a ticket and scan the QR code.

Good to know

  • No eating, drinking or smoking in stations or on trains; no pets.
  • Large or bulky luggage may be refused. A carry-on is fine.
  • Line 1 does not go to the airport or Cholon yet. Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong) started construction in January 2026.

Questions visitors ask

How much does the Ho Chi Minh City metro cost?

A single trip costs 7,000–20,000 dong depending on distance, or 1,000 dong less when you pay by card or app. A 1-day pass is 40,000 dong and a 3-day pass is 90,000 dong.

Can I pay with my foreign Visa or Mastercard?

Yes. Contactless Visa, Mastercard, JCB, Amex and UnionPay cards, plus Apple Pay and Samsung Pay, work directly at the gates. Tap in and out with the same card or phone.

What are the metro opening hours?

Monday to Friday from 5:00 am to 10:00 pm; on weekends and public holidays until 11:00 pm. Trains run every 6–8 minutes at rush hour and every 10–12 minutes at other times.

Does the metro go to the airport or Cholon?

Not yet. Line 1 runs east from Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien. Line 2 (Ben Thanh – Tham Luong) started construction in January 2026. For the airport and Cholon, use a ride-hailing app, taxi or bus.

Last checked: October 2026. Sources: fares (SGGP) · hours (Tuoi Tre News) · tap to ride (Visa). Times and prices can change; check the signs at the station.