The Ho Chi Minh City Metro (HCMC Metro, ) is a planned rapid transit network that will serve Ho Chi Minh City in Vietnam. Its first metro line, Line 1, started construction in 2012 and is scheduled for completion in late 2023, with operations starting in 2024. As of 2021, most of the network is in the planning stages, with projects for different lines advancing as funds become available. History Earlier proposals (2001–2012) The network was first proposed in 2001 as part of a comprehensive public transport network plan including Ho Chi Minh City and neighbouring provinces, with the aim of avoiding the severe traffic congestion problems that have affected other Asian cities (such as Hanoi). According to the original master plan submitted in February 2001, the metro system would comprise six lines. The plan was originally expected to cost US$1.5 billion over 10 years, as part of a US$3.35 billion program to build a rail network serving Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding provinces. The plan was revised in 2007 and proposed no less than six urban rail lines. The city’s transport development master plan to 2020 envisages developing three monorail or light rail lines with a total length of and six underground metro routes with a total length of . Bến Thành Market in District 1, already a major hub for bus traffic, will become a major hub connecting several lines. Revised plan and construction (2013–present) The latest plans for Ho Chi Minh City Metro, a revised version of the earlier proposal in 2007, was approved on 8 April 2013. The network's first line, connecting Bến Thành Market and Suối Tiên Park in Thu Duc City, was originally scheduled for completion in 2014. A groundbreaking ceremony for Line 1 was held on 21 February 2008. However, due to funding issues, construction only began in 2012, pushing the project completion date to 2018. Line 1 is mainly funded through official development assistance provided by the Japan International Cooperation Agency (JICA), with the remainder being financed by the city's government budget. In September 2013, an agreement was reached with the Asian Development Bank, the European Investment Bank, and the Spanish Government to provide €850 million to finance the construction of Line 5, with any additional cost funded by the Vietnamese Government. A revised construction start of 2015 was provided. On 13 September 2017, the authorities announced that Line 1 will