The Government has assigned the HCM City People’s Committee to co-operate with the Ministry of Planning and Investment to raise additional funds for the projects.

The Prime Minister has also required the Ministry of Transport to work with HCM City on the project.

Until 2020, HCM City plans to build five subway routes with a total investment of more than US$5 billion, with an effort to reduce traffic congestion on city roads at a time when the city population is expected to be 13.5 million.

The first 19.7km Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien Route will be built with ODA funding from the Japanese Government.

The subway system will include six routes and 22 stations with the central station located in September 23 Park in District 1.

Two routes will begin operation in 2010, which are expected to reduce the number of motorbikes on the streets by 25 percent.