 |
| Delegates at the launching ceremony of Ho Chi Minh City's first metro line. (Photo: VNA) |
The Ben Thanh-Suoi Tien Metro line links Ben Thanh Market in district 1 with Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc city, marking the first of eight planned routes for its mass transit system.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Vice Chairman of the HCM City People’s Committee Bui Xuan Cuong said after 17 years of planning and 12 years of construction, the inauguration of this metro line today marks a significant milestone in the advancement of public transport within the city.
The line is expected to address the burgeoning travel demands of residents while contributing to the establishment of a modern and sustainable public transportation framework.
This project symbolises the robust cooperation and relationship between Vietnam and Japan, reflecting years of diligent effort and commitment to its completion, he said.
Japanese Ambassador to Vietnam Ito Naoki said the metro line is expected to encourage individuals to shift from personal vehicles to public transport.
The success of Metro Line 1 will act as a catalyst for additional projects and developments within the city, he added.
During the first month of operation, passengers will have free access to the metro, alongside 17 electric bus routes that connect with it.
After the introductory phase, various ticket options will be available, including single-ride, one-day, three-day and monthly passes.
Single-ride fares will range from 7,000 to 20,000 VND, contingent upon the distance travelled.
For passengers utilising cashless payment methods, fares will be slightly reduced, ranging from 6,000 to 19,000 VND.
Monthly passes are priced at 300,000 VND, with students eligible for a 50% discount, reducing the cost to 150,000 VND.
One-day and three-day tickets will be available for 40,000 VND and 90,000 VND, respectively, allowing for unlimited rides within those designated timeframes.
Passengers who are elderly or have disabilities are exempt from fare charges.
The line comprises 17 trains, each consisting of three carriages, with a total capacity of 930 passengers (147 seated and 783 standing).
In its initial operational phase, an average of nine trains will run daily from 5am to 10pm, facilitating some 200 trips.
The interval between trains will range from 8-12 minutes, with an estimated journey time of around 30 minutes from the terminal station, the Suoi Tien Theme Park in Thu Duc city, to Ben Thanh Market in district 1. Each train will stop for approximately 30 seconds at each station.
Approved in 2007, the Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien metro line took 17 years to begin operations due to various reasons, including financial constraints, during its implementation.
With an investment of 43.7 trillion VND (1.72 billion USD), it spans 19.7km and includes 14 stations, three of which are underground in the city center.
Vietnam is characterised by a prominent motorbike culture, especially in major cities such as HCM City and Hanoi, which face significant traffic congestion.
The introduction of the city's first metro line aims to alleviate this issue by promoting public transportation usage.
The capital city of Hanoi inaugurated the nation's first metro service, the Cat Linh - Ha Dong metro line, in 2021, a decade after construction began.
Vietnam expects to officially export passion fruit to US next year
Vietnam expects to officially export fresh passion fruit to the US in 2025 as negotiations on plant quarantine measures for the fruit near completion, according to the Plant Protection Department under the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, reported Vietnam News Agency.
 |
| A farmer in Lai Chau province takes care of a passion fruit tree. (Photo: VNA) |
Negotiations on technical issues were already completed in August, the ministry has said. Now, legal procedures are underway for the official export of fresh passion fruit to the US.
The Vietnam Association of Vegetables and Fruit forecasts that Vietnam might earn around 50-100 million USD from exporting fresh passion fruit to the US each year.
To date, there are eight types of fresh fruit exported to the US via official channels, including dragon fruit, mango, longan, lychee, rambutan, star apple, grapefruit and coconut.
On August 8, Vietnam successfully negotiated to export fresh passion fruit to Australia, making passion fruit the fifth fruit to be officially exported to this market, after mango, longan, lychee and dragon fruit.
Statistics from the Ministry of Agricultural and Rural Development show that there are 9,500ha of passion fruit in Vietnam, mainly in the Central Highlands region. Passion fruit is one of 18 types of fruit with a yield of more than 100,000 tonnes per year.
Over 9,000 runners join Can Tho international marathon
The Can Tho Heritage Marathon 2024 kicked off in the Mekong Delta city of the same name on the morning of December 22, attracting more than 9,000 domestic and foreign runners, reported Vietnam News Agency.
 |
| Participants at the race's half marathon (21.1km) event. (Photo: VNA) |
Participants competed in 5km and 10km races, a half marathon (21.1km), and a full marathon (42.195km).
According to Truong Cong Quoc Viet, Deputy Director of the municipal Department of Culture, Sports, and Tourism, the race route starts at Hau River Park and passes by several iconic landmarks and notable tourist destinations, such as Lo Vong Cung route and Cai Rang floating market. It aims to showcase the beauty of Can Tho while promoting physical fitness among its residents.
The marathon, the first in the city to receive official certification from the Association of International Marathons and Distance Races (AIMS), aspires to position Can Tho as a favoured destination for the running community, contributing to the sustainable and effective development of the city's tourism.
Vietnam trounce Myanmar 5-0, advancing to ASEAN Cup semifinals
Vietnam clinched an impressive 5-0 victory over Myanmar on December 21 evening, retaining their top spot in Group B and securing a place in the ASEAN Mitsubishi Electric Cup 2024 semi-finals, where they will take on Singapore, reported Vietnam News Agency.
 |
| Prime Minister Pham Minh watches the match between Vietnam and Myanmar, giving encouragement to Vietnamese players. (Photo: VNA) |
In his national team debut, naturalised striker of Brazilian origin Nguyen Xuan Son struck a brace and created two assists, while the other goals were scored by Vi Hao, Quang Hai, and Tien Linh.
Vietnam endured a goalless first half for the fourth consecutive match, before scoring five times through Bui Vi Hao, Xuan Son's double and Nguyen Quang Hai and Nguyen Tien Linh to send the fully packed crowd at Viet Tri Stadium in Phu Tho province into jubilation.
Korean coach Kim Sang-sik included Xuan Son in the starting lineup, and the 27-year-old striker quickly made a difference. Within the first 10 minutes, he had two dangerous attempts on goal, though he was unable to convert.
The opportunity for Vietnam came in the 26th minute, when Van Toan delivered a precise cross, but Vi Hao missed the ball from just 5m out. Ten minutes later, Hoang Duc challenged the Myanmar goalkeeper with a header that hit the post. Three minutes after that, Quang Hai executed a spectacular shot, but once again, the post denied Vietnam a goal.
Towards the end of the first half, Xuan Son skillfully dribbled past defenders and set up a great chance, but Van Vi shot wide from less than 10m.
On the other side, Myanmar had two notable shots from Lwin Moe Aung, but goalkeeper Dinh Trieu managed the situation well.
 |
| Bui Vi Hao (15) scores the first goal for Vietnam. (Photo: VNA) |
In the second half, Vietnam raised their intensity and quickly made a breakthrough. In the 48th minute, Xuan Son delivered a brilliant pass for Vi Hao to finish into an empty net, opening the scoring for Vietnam. Just six minutes later, Vi Hao returned the favor, assisting Xuan Son to eliminate Myanmar’s defense. The 1997-born striker finished clinically to extend Vietnam’s lead.
At this time of the match, Myanmar appeared fatigued and struggled to withstand Vietnam’s relentless attacks. Kim showed no intention of slowing down, bringing on Tien Linh and Tan Tai to push for more goals.
In the 74th minute, Nguyen Quang Hai extended the lead to 3-0 with a stunning strike from outside the box. Although Vi Hao found the net again, the goal was ruled offside. In the 90th minute, Xuan Son displayed excellent ball control inside the penalty area and unleashed a powerful shot to make it 4-0. During stoppage time, Tien Linh added the final goal, securing a 5-0 victory for Vietnam.
Vietnam stand firm in the top spot of Group B and will play Group A second-placed winners Singapore in the semi-finals.
In another Group B match, the Philippines defeat Indonesia 1-0 and will take on Group A winners Thailand in the semi-finals./.