Experience the Advanced Technologies of Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien)
Quick, convenient, and seamless digital application experiences, along with advanced cashless ticketing utilities, are the impressions citizens have when using Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien). These world-class technologies, rarely seen in other countries, are fostering a transformative shift in modern transportation habits.
Many people have come to experience Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) during its initial days of operation.
Recently, Metro Line 1 (Ben Thanh – Suoi Tien) officially came into operation, marking a historic milestone in the development of Ho Chi Minh City’s urban transportation. This eagerly awaited event has garnered significant attention from the public.
Spanning nearly 20 kilometers, Metro Line 1 is a top-tier urban railway with a total investment of over VND 43,700 billion, initiated on July 24, 2012. The line connects Thu Duc City, Binh Thanh District, and the central area of District 1. Once operational, the Metro system serves as a vital transportation link, alleviating traffic congestion, reducing the burden on overlapping bus routes, and contributing to improved air quality of Ho Chi Minh City. Moreover, the project is anticipated to gradually transform commuting habits for residents along the metro route, promoting a shift toward modern, efficient and sustainable public transportation.
The technology and applications related to the electronic ticketing system, ticket validation, purchase and payment, and route tracking are far superior to the use of paper tickets, coins, or cash systems found in many countries.
In addition to infrastructure investment, special attention has been given to the technology and applications related to the electronic ticketing system, ticket validation, purchasing and payment, and route tracking. These systems offer numerous benefits for residents and improve management efficiency. The quality of these technologies is on par with, or even surpasses, the advanced metro systems in countries like Singapore, Japan, and European nations.
Specifically, Metro Line 1 operates on a comprehensive software platform for its electronic ticketing system, featuring a large application platform, an automated ticket calculation and collection system, a customer experience management system, and various devices at stations such as credit/debit card readers, QR code scanners, and chip-enabled citizen ID cards. It also includes security control systems, ticket validation, and high-security IT systems and cloud computing infrastructure. The identification system is directly connected to the National Population Database of the Ministry of Public Security, enabling residents to use their chip-enabled citizen ID cards as tickets. The FPT CX customer experience system helps identify customers and connects directly to payment gateways and ticket sales systems. The cashless ticket purchase and payment system integrates with various ecosystems, including banks and e-wallets. With these advanced technologies, which are rare in other countries, Metro Line 1 is expected to deliver an impressive experience for both locals and tourists, encouraging the adoption of new transportation habits. These systems were developed and implemented with FPT Corporation as the consulting, solution development, and deployment partner.
A key highlight is the HCMC Metro HURC app, specifically designed for residents using Metro Line 1. The app is available for download on CH Play (for Android) and the App Store (for iOS). Through the HCMC Metro HURC app, residents can register an account and generate a QR code for train travel, which can be linked to payment systems through various e-wallets or bank payment apps to purchase tickets. The app then generates a QR code directly from the phone for use when boarding the train.
The app offers several useful features, including: ticket information, route tracking, train station maps, fare calculation based on the selected route, and details about entrance/exit points at each station. On its first day of operation, the app saw an estimated 15,000 downloads and nearly 4,000 train rides using the QR code feature.
HCMC Metro HURC – an exclusive application for residents traveling on Metro Line No. 1 is now available on CH Play (for Android) and the App Store (for iOS).
The HCMC Metro HURC app offers several standout features, including: ticket information, route tracking, station maps, fare calculation based on the selected route, and details about entrance and exit points at each station.
Passengers can receive a QR code directly generated from the HCMC Metro HURC app on their phone to use for train travel.
After the trial phase, residents will be able to effortlessly purchase and pay for tickets using the smart EMV Open-loop payment system and mobile app payment solutions, which are internationally certified for security—developed through a partnership between FPT and Mastercard. By utilizing the Citizen ID payment solution and the EMV OpenLoop system, passengers will enjoy the most efficient and modern ticketing process, especially those eligible for discounted or free fares. The Open-loop ecosystem is diverse, including MegaApp, the Citizen ID management system, e-wallets, and all types of EMV cards such as Mastercard, Visa, JCB, Amex, Napas, as well as cards from banks available in the market. This enables passengers to easily buy tickets and make payments using physical cards, QR codes on the app, or virtual cards via ApplePay and Google Pay, all in a quick and seamless process. These methods surpass the traditional use of paper tickets, coins, or cash used in many other countries.
Mr. Quoc Vu from District 4 shared: “I downloaded the app very quickly and registered just as fast. I got the app yesterday after reading about it in the news, and hadn’t had time to try it before. So far, I find the ticket feature on the app very convenient.”
Starting from January 10, 2025, customers will be able to use Mastercard, Visa, JCB, American Express, Union Pay, and Napas cards for train travel. From January 20, 2025, customers will also be able to use their citizen ID cards for travel.
From January 10, 2025, customers will be able to use Mastercard, Visa, JCB, American Express, Union Pay, and Napas cards for train travel.
In terms of management systems, FPT has also partnered with the Management Authority for Urban Railways (MAUR) of Ho Chi Minh City and the HCM City Urban Railway Company No. 1 (HURC1) to implement several important digital transformation initiatives. These include the ERP SAP resource management system, FPT.iHRP human resource management system, e-government systems, and digital office and integration systems. These initiatives are seen as the first digital transformation efforts in Vietnam’s metro sector, and they represent the final steps in completing the metro system in Ho Chi Minh City. They have been deployed at the office building of the O&M operating company and the station management system.
The operation of Metro Line 1 marks a significant milestone in Ho Chi Minh City’s transportation development, paving the way for the city to continue launching other metro projects, with Metro Line 2 being the next in line. This project showcases the vision and determination of the Vietnamese government in general, and of Ho Chi Minh City in particular. Moreover, the contribution of technology has played a key role in shaping a new face for the city, reflecting the importance of technology as a driving force in the country’s new era.
