The enormous central station of the Ho Chi Minh City Metro
Discover more from Future Southeast Asia
The enormous central station of the Ho Chi Minh City Metro
A profile of the 3-line Ben Thanh Station of the HCMC Metro, plus a proposed Kota Kinabalu Sky Train and Hat Yai Monorail, and more updates on major railway projects around Southeast Asia.
Having been based in Saigon (off and on) since the start of the metro construction, I’ve been following with great interest the construction progress of the first metro line.
Living here and following the news, all we hear about are the delays and controversies that are following this project around. The mood isn’t helped by the sight of the blue construction fences that dominate the area from Ben Thanh Market to the Opera House.
The week’s post is about the Ben Thanh Station, which will be no ordinary metro station. I’ve written this partly to remind myself what an amazing project it is, and to also send to people who haven’t grasped the enormity of the station.
To have a new metro start off by building a 3-line interchange station from the beginning might be a world first (I’m still looking for examples). It’s certainly a first in Southeast Asia.
Bangkok built their BTS with the 2-line interchange at Siam (which is a great example of how to do an interchange). KL has some multople line interchanges, but they were added after the fact and the interchanging is messy. Singapore has a 3-line interchange at Dhoby Ghaut, but that wasn’t prebuilt with the first line.
Manila is currently building a 4-line station at North Triangle Common Station on top of an old station, but one of the lines is several hundred metres away. This is a station that will also be worthy of a future feature.
Here is a look at what will make Ben Thanh so special, once it is finally built.
Latest Posts At Future Southeast Asia
Ben Thanh Station – A 3-line metro interchange that will transform Ho Chi Minh City
Ben Thanh Station is the future central station of the Ho Chi Minh City Metro. The station will be an interchange for three lines, and it will include a remodeled pedestrian area and an underground shopping plaza.
Updated Posts
Indonesia
Indonesian companies ask China to up stake in high-speed rail project
Added to Jakarta-Bandung High-Speed Railway
Malaysia
Commentary: Malaysia’s East Coast Rail Link alignment is anything but settled
Added to East Coast Rail Link
Philippines
‘No build zone’ along Mindanao Railway
Added to Mindanao Railway Project
Other News
Asia
China-ASEAN Expo to be held online, offline in September
Cambodia
Another 17 hectares of Tamok Lake carved out for gov’t agencies
Indonesia
Algorithm Hill will become Indonesia’s Silicon Valley
“The Institute for Development of Economics and Finance (Indef) has previously noted that the research and technology industry 4.0, based at Algorithm Hill in Sukabumi, West Java, must have a number of factors in order to become the Silicon Valley of Indonesia.”
Laos
Chinese casino mogul Zhao Wei explores expansion out of Laos’ Golden Triangle SEZ
“A controversial Chinese casino kingpin with a large business network in Laos is looking to develop tourism facilities in remote areas of the Southeast Asian country”.
Govt pushes for road links between railway production sites
“The construction of roads and railways connecting production zones to the Laos-China economic corridor is essential if Laos wishes to significantly benefit from regional integration.”
Malaysia
Revival of mega projects lacks clarity
“The revival of a few mega projects in the country has raised some concerns on the cost it will incur the government’s coffer and its potential foreign influence.”
KL Sentral major facelift in the cards: Wee
“The government is mulling a major upgrade on Stesen Sentral Kuala Lumpur (KL Sentral), the first since it opened for operation in 2001, to cater the increasing number of commuters and traffic volume in the area.”
Rail sector will need talent pool of at least 100,000 for new approved projects, says Dr Wee
“The Sabah government is committed to develop the Sky Train project to further upgrade the public transport system in Kota Kinabalu.”
Betong’s next progress to ‘take off’ with new airport
A small airport is proposed for Betong, located about 250km from Sarawak’s capital city of Kuching.
Singapore
Ultra-rich Asians and Chinese citizens eye Singapore luxury homes amid coronavirus pandemic
Singapore-based architect says sustainable design is the future
“ADDP Partner Chin Hang Ping says high-performing residential buildings are sustainable, functional and provide public spaces for the neighborhood.”
Thailand
“Songkhla Provincial Administrative Organisation (PAO) has put in for Bt17.59 billion to build a monorail in Hat Yai to help ease traffic congestion problems in the city.”
Work progressing steadily in most of SRT's six double-track projects
“The State Railway of Thailand (SRT) is accelerating the construction of six double-track railways projects. The routes that will link regional provinces and neighbouring countries are on course but there could be delays on some routes, officials said while outlining the progress.”
Bangkok expat rental market sinks
“Plunge in rents reflects the impact of the pandemic, says ECA International.”
Vietnam
Vietnam to benefit the most in Asia from US economic boom: Bloomberg Economics
It’s only a matter of time before disaster strikes Hanoi’s dilapidated tenements
Transport ministry mulls 42 new expressways to boost national connectivity