Business · Vietnam Bureau
Ho Chi Minh City seeks approval to clear mangrove forest for metro expansion
Ho Chi Minh City authorities have petitioned the municipal People's Council to authorize the conversion of nearly 4.6 hectares of protected mangrove forest to make way for a major metro development project valued at $3.9 billion.
LSN Vietnam ·
City officials submitted the proposal on September 21, requesting permission to clear the mangrove area as part of the Ben Thanh-Can Gio metro line project, which is being developed by major Vietnamese conglomerate Vingroup.
The proposed 4.57-hectare conversion would transform a portion of protected forest land in the Can Gio district, a region recognized for its ecological significance. The metro line extension is intended to enhance transportation infrastructure connecting central Ho Chi Minh City with the outlying Can Gio area.
The Ben Thanh-Can Gio metro line represents one of several mass transit initiatives underway in Vietnam's largest city as authorities seek to alleviate traffic congestion and improve urban mobility. The $3.9 billion project underscores Vingroup's ongoing investment in the city's infrastructure development.
The People's Council must now deliberate on the proposal, weighing the environmental impact against the perceived transportation and economic benefits of the metro expansion. The decision will require balancing urban development priorities with conservation of the mangrove ecosystem, which plays a crucial role in coastal protection and biodiversity.