How to use Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1

Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line runs from Bến Thành in central District 1 to Bến xe Suối Tiên in the east. The 19.7-kilometre route has 14 stations: three underground and 11 elevated. Commercial service began on 22 December 2024 (Vietnam News Agency).

For visitors, Line 1 is most useful for short trips across central District 1, reaching the Landmark 81 area without making the whole journey by road, or building an outing around Thảo Điền. It is still a single line rather than a citywide rail network, so check the walk or onward connection at both ends.

Fares and passes

Single fares depend on distance and payment method. Cash and smart-card fares run from VND7,000 to VND20,000; cashless payment receives a VND1,000 discount, making the lowest cashless fare VND6,000. The passes most relevant to a short visit are:

• One day: VND40,000 for unlimited rides during the valid day
• Three consecutive days: VND90,000 for unlimited rides during that period

These published fares come from 2025 reporting on the operator’s rollout; confirm the current amount at the station before buying (Vietnam News Agency; SGGP).

For one return outing, two single fares will normally cost less than a day pass. Before buying the VND40,000 pass, add up the likely single fares: it makes financial sense only when those rides would exceed VND40,000. The three-day pass is more about convenience unless you expect to use Line 1 repeatedly on all three days.

Smart cards from ticket machines

Station ticket machines issue four types of IC card: single-trip, one-day, three-day and rechargeable. The machines accept Vietnamese cash.

A single-trip card requires a refundable VND15,000 deposit. One-day, three-day and rechargeable cards require a VND35,000 deposit. The deposit is separate from the fare or pass price. The June 2025 rollout report says cards can be returned through the fare-adjustment system for a deposit refund; follow the machine instructions or ask station staff if the refund option is unclear.

A single-trip card is valid on its issue date. Day passes must be activated within 15 days of issue, and a three-day pass runs for three consecutive days from its first gate scan (Vietnam News Agency).

How to pay at the gates

For a short visit, the simplest choices are usually a ticket-machine IC card or a supported contactless bank card.

Contactless Visa

Visa can be used for metro journeys. Tap the same card or the same phone-wallet credential when entering and leaving; changing between a physical card and its digital-wallet version can prevent the system from matching the two taps.

Since 1 January 2026, the former VND6,000 authentication charge has not been taken at entry. Visa journeys are recorded during the day and the total is deducted in one transaction later (Tuổi Trẻ News). If a foreign card is declined, switch to a ticket machine rather than holding up the gate.

HCMC Metro HURC app and ZaloPay

The HCMC Metro HURC app is offered in English and Vietnamese and includes journey, map, ticket-purchase and QR-code functions (Apple App Store). It can be useful for checking service information, but a visitor making one or two rides may find a card or ticket machine quicker than creating an account and arranging in-app payment.

ZaloPay users can generate a payment QR code and scan it at both entry and exit. The system temporarily verifies funds at entry, calculates the distance-based fare after exit and returns the difference to the wallet (SGGP). This is mainly useful for travellers who already use the Vietnamese wallet.

Cash and paper QR tickets

Cash is accepted at automated ticket vending machines. From 1 January 2026, staffed counters stopped selling paper QR tickets; tickets remain available through vending machines and self-service kiosks (Tuổi Trẻ News).

Whatever format you use, keep the ticket or card and scan or tap again to exit.

Useful stations for visitors

Bến Thành: market and the west side of central District 1

Choose Bến Thành for Bến Thành Market, September 23 Park, the western end of Lê Lợi and the Ho Chi Minh City Museum of Fine Arts area. The city tourism department also identifies it as a central access point for the market and museum (Vietnam News Agency).

Bến Thành is Line 1’s central terminus, so every departing train heads east toward Bến xe Suối Tiên.

Opera House: Nguyễn Huệ and Đồng Khởi

Nhà hát Thành phố, signed in English as Opera House, is the more useful stop for the Saigon Opera House, Đồng Khởi and Nguyễn Huệ Walking Street. It is also a reasonable starting point for a walk toward the Central Post Office and Notre-Dame Cathedral area.

Bến Thành and Opera House are one stop apart. If your next destination lies along Lê Lợi, walking may be simpler than re-entering the metro.

Ba Son: the northern side of the downtown riverfront

Use Ba Son for the riverfront around the Ba Son Bridge approach and the northern end of Tôn Đức Thắng. It is less convenient than Bến Thành for the market area. Ba Son is the final underground station; eastbound trains join the elevated section after it.

Tân Cảng: Landmark 81 and Vinhomes Central Park

Tân Cảng is the Line 1 access point for Landmark 81 and Vinhomes Central Park; the city tourism department specifically identifies the station for Landmark 81 (Vietnam News Agency).

This is a useful rail connection, not a door-to-door arrival. Check the correct station exit and allow time for the final walk.

Thảo Điền or An Phú: map the exact venue

Use Thảo Điền for destinations closer to the neighbourhood’s western side and An Phú, one stop farther east, for addresses nearer An Phú and the developments along Võ Nguyên Giáp. Neither is automatically right for every venue marketed as being in Thảo Điền.

Map the final walk before boarding and check which station exit reaches the correct side of Võ Nguyên Giáp. Use the station’s pedestrian access rather than assuming there will be a convenient street-level crossing.

The eastern end: travel with a specific destination

The last four stations—Thủ Đức, Khu Công nghệ cao, Đại học Quốc gia and Bến xe Suối Tiên—serve the eastern corridor rather than the usual central sightseeing circuit. Line 1 provides access toward Suối Tiên attractions and the National University area, but the theme park, National University station and Suối Tiên bus terminal are different destinations. Confirm the nearest entrance before choosing between Đại học Quốc gia and Bến xe Suối Tiên.

A simple first ride

For an easy introduction, enter at Bến Thành, continue onto the elevated section and leave at Tân Cảng or Thảo Điền. On the return, use Opera House instead of Bến Thành if the next part of your day is around Nguyễn Huệ, Đồng Khởi or the central riverfront.

Check the HCMC Metro HURC app and station information boards for that day’s first and last trains. Hours and intervals can change for holidays and major events.

Published fare and payment sources reviewed on 30 October 2026; current station notices take precedence.