How to Use the Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) Metro: A Visitor's Guide to Line 1

A Metro Line 1 train at Van Thanh Park station. Photo: S5A-0043, CC BY 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Ho Chi Minh City (Saigon) finally has a metro. Line 1 links the city centre with the east of the city, and for visitors it is the easiest way to skip the traffic between the old District 1, the riverside, Thao Dien and the Suoi Tien theme park. Trains are clean, air-conditioned and signposted in English, and a ride costs less than a coffee.

This guide covers how much it costs, how to pay, which stations are worth your time, what the metro does not reach yet, and where to stay if you want a station within walking distance.

Quick answer: how do I ride the Ho Chi Minh City Metro? Walk into any Line 1 station, tap a contactless Visa or Mastercard (or your phone) at the gate, ride, and tap the same card again when you exit. Single trips cost a few thousand to about 20,000 VND depending on distance, and a one-day pass with unlimited rides is 40,000 VND. Trains run from around 5:00 am until late evening, from Ben Thanh in the centre to Suoi Tien in about 30 minutes.

Ho Chi Minh City Metro Line 1 at a glance

	Details
Route	Ben Thanh (city centre) to Suoi Tien (northeast)
Opened	22 December 2024
Length	19.7 km, with 14 stations (3 underground, 11 elevated)
End-to-end time	About 30 minutes
Hours	Around 5:00 am to 10:00 pm, with later service on weekends and public holidays
Single fare	About 6,000 to 20,000 VND, depending on distance and how you pay
Passes	1-day 40,000 VND · 3-day 90,000 VND

The three underground stations, Ben Thanh, Opera House and Ba Son, sit right in the centre. After Ba Son the line crosses the Saigon River and runs on an elevated track through Thao Dien and Thu Duc to the Suoi Tien Bus Station at the end of the line.

Fares and tickets

Fares are based on distance. A single trip costs 7,000 to 20,000 VND if you pay cash, and 1,000 VND less if you pay cashless. If you plan to hop on and off, passes pay for themselves quickly:

Single journey: 7,000 to 20,000 VND in cash, or 6,000 to 19,000 VND cashless.
1-day pass: 40,000 VND for unlimited rides that day.
3-day pass: 90,000 VND for unlimited rides over three days.
Free rides: children under 6, older passengers and people with disabilities travel free.

How to pay

Tap your card (easiest for visitors): the gates accept contactless bank cards, including Visa and Mastercard, as well as phones and smartwatches with tap-to-pay. No ticket needed.
Ticket machines and counters: buy a single-journey ticket or a pass at the station. Carry small, clean notes in case you pay cash.
App: the official HCMC Metro HURC app also sells tickets.

How to ride, step by step

Step 1: Find the station entrance. In the centre, look for the entrances along Le Loi Street between Ben Thanh Market and the Opera House.
Step 2: Tap your contactless card or phone at the gate, or scan the ticket you bought.
Step 3: Check the platform direction: towards Suoi Tien (east) or Ben Thanh (city centre).
Step 4: Tap the same card or phone again when you leave. Your fare is worked out from the distance you travelled.
Step 5: Use Grab or walk for the last stretch. Most central sights and hotels are 5 to 15 minutes on foot from a station.

The best Saigon Metro stations for visitors

Ben Thanh

Ben Thanh Market sits right by the first station on Line 1.

The start of the line and the city's main transport hub, right by Ben Thanh Market and September 23 Park. From here it is a short walk to the street food and nightlife of the Pham Ngu Lao and Bui Vien area.

Opera House

The Saigon Opera House, at the exit of Opera House station.

The most useful stop for sightseeing. You come up next to the Saigon Opera House, a couple of minutes from Nguyen Hue Walking Street, the People's Committee Building and Dong Khoi Street.

Ba Son

The last underground station, near the Saigon River and Ba Son Bridge. It is a good starting point for a riverside walk, and the Saigon Waterbus pier is close by.

Tan Cang

The first stop after the river, closest to Vinhomes Central Park and Landmark 81, Vietnam's tallest building, which is about 1 km away.

Thao Dien

Get off here for the leafy expat neighbourhood of Thao Dien, with international cafés, restaurants, boutiques and the Vincom Mega Mall. It is one of the easiest half-day trips you can make from the centre.

Suoi Tien

The end of the line, near Suoi Tien Theme Park and the Eastern Bus Station. The stations between Thao Dien and Suoi Tien are mostly residential and serve commuters and universities.

What the metro does not cover (yet)

The airport: Line 1 does not go to Tan Son Nhat Airport. Use Grab or a taxi, which usually takes 30 to 45 minutes to the old District 1 in normal traffic.
Cho Lon and District 7: neither is on Line 1, so take Grab.
Line 2: a second line from Ben Thanh towards Tham Luong in the northwest is under construction and not open yet.

Tips for a smooth ride

Avoid the morning and late-afternoon rush if you want a seat. Mid-morning, early afternoon and evenings are calmer.
Use the same card or phone to tap in and out, or the gate will not open on exit.
Trains are air-conditioned and stay dry in the rainy season, which makes the metro a good plan B on wet afternoons.
Keep food and drinks for after your ride.
Check the HCMC Metro HURC app or station screens for the latest hours, as service is sometimes extended on holidays.

Where to stay near the Saigon Metro

If you want the metro on your doorstep, stay in the old District 1, now Saigon Ward and Ben Thanh Ward. These KiN hotels are a short walk from Opera House or Ben Thanh station (walking times are approximate):

Near Opera House station

KiN Hotel Dong Du: about a 5 to 10 minute walk, near the Saigon River. Selected in the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection 2026.
KiN Hotel Onsen: about a 5 to 10 minute walk, with a private Japanese-inspired onsen. Also selected in the MICHELIN Guide hotel selection 2026.
KiN Hotel Thi Sach Edition: a 4-star hotel about a 10 minute walk away.
NiK Hotel Thi Sach: a 3-star hotel about a 10 minute walk away.
KiN Hotel Thai Van Lung: in Japan Town, about a 10 minute walk from Opera House or Ba Son station.

KiN Hotel Dong Du, a short walk from Opera House station.

Near Ben Thanh station

KiN Hotel Ly Tu Trong Edition: about a 5 minute walk, steps from Ben Thanh Market.
NiK Hotel Pham Ngu Lao and NiK Hotel Nguyen Trai: about a 10 minute walk, in the lively Ben Thanh area.
KiN Hotel Bui Thi Xuan: a 4-star boutique hotel near Tao Dan Park, about 15 minutes on foot or a short Grab ride.

KiN Hotel Ly Tu Trong Edition, close to Ben Thanh station.

Still deciding on an area? Our guide to where to stay in Ho Chi Minh City compares Saigon Ward with District 3, District 7 and the area near the airport.

🛎️ Find your KiN stay near the metro

Frequently asked questions

Does the Ho Chi Minh City Metro go to the airport?

No. Metro Line 1 runs from Ben Thanh in the city centre to Suoi Tien in the northeast and does not reach Tan Son Nhat Airport. Use Grab or a taxi, usually 30 to 45 minutes to the old District 1.

How much does the Ho Chi Minh City Metro cost?

Single trips cost 7,000 to 20,000 VND in cash, or 6,000 to 19,000 VND cashless, depending on distance. A 1-day pass is 40,000 VND and a 3-day pass is 90,000 VND.

Can I pay for the Saigon Metro with a foreign credit card?

Yes. The gates accept contactless bank cards, including Visa and Mastercard, as well as phones with tap-to-pay. Tap the same card in and out.

What time does the Saigon Metro open and close?

Trains run from around 5:00 am until about 10:00 pm, with later service on weekends and public holidays. Check the HCMC Metro HURC app for the latest timetable.

Which metro station is closest to Ben Thanh Market?

Ben Thanh station, the first stop on Line 1, is right by the market.

Is the Saigon Metro useful for tourists?

Yes, for trips between the city centre, the riverside, Thao Dien and Suoi Tien Theme Park. For Cho Lon, District 7 and the airport you will still need Grab.

Where should I stay to be close to the metro?

The old District 1, now Saigon Ward and Ben Thanh Ward, is the best base. Hotels near Opera House and Ben Thanh stations let you walk to the metro and to most major sights.

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