Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh has proposed that Pham Nhat Vuong, Chairman of Vingroup and the country’s wealthiest individual, spearhead the construction of a metro line linking downtown Ho Chi Minh City with the coastal Can Gio District.
The suggestion was revealed during a conference on January 4, 2025, where the city administration unveiled the Ho Chi Minh City Master Plan for 2021–2030, with a vision to 2050.
“I recently shared the idea of building a metro line connecting the city center to Can Gio District with Chairman Vuong, and he responded enthusiastically,” said PM Chinh.
Pham Nhat Vuong, who is also CEO of electric vehicle maker VinFast, remains Vietnam’s richest individual, ranking 833rd on Forbes’ global billionaire list with an estimated net worth of $4.1 billion as of late 2024.
PM Chinh emphasized the importance of mobilizing major enterprises with significant financial capacity for projects crucial to Vietnam’s socio-economic development.
“Initiatives drive resources, and innovation fuels motivation. This mindset must guide us in executing the city’s master plan,” the prime minister remarked.
He also highlighted the successful launch of Ho Chi Minh City’s first metro line in December 2024 and urged the city to maximize its sea and underground spaces, including the development of additional subway networks, to address growing urban mobility needs.
The proposal for a metro connection to Can Gio District aligns with the PM’s earlier directives following his visit to the district in July 2023. In subsequent meetings, Chinh emphasized the necessity of either a metro or elevated road system to improve connectivity while safeguarding the Can Gio mangrove forest, a UNESCO-recognized biosphere reserve since 2000.
“One of the guiding principles in urban development is preserving nature’s gifts while ensuring long-term benefits for both the nation and Ho Chi Minh City,” PM Chinh affirmed.
At the conference, the Prime Minister praised the city’s Master Plan, describing it as a strategic roadmap addressing key priorities for sustainable socio-economic growth in the coming decades.
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Source: Vietnam Insider