Ho Chi Minh City Metro Free on September 2: Hours & Guide

If you are staying in Ho Chi Minh City for Vietnam’s National Day on September 2, there is some good news for getting around the city.

Metro Line 1 will be completely free for all passengers on September 2, 2026. The metro will also operate for longer hours and increase its frequency in the evening, when large crowds are expected to travel toward the city centre for the National Day celebrations and fireworks.

The Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien metro line will run from 5:00 AM until 11:00 PM, with 264 train services scheduled during the day. Between 9:00 PM and 10:30 PM, trains will run approximately every five minutes.

If you are staying in Ho Chi Minh City during the holiday, Metro Line 1 could be one of the easiest ways to avoid some of the heavy road traffic expected on September 2.

Metro Line 1 Is Free on September 2

All passengers can use Metro Line 1 free of charge on Vietnam’s National Day.

The line connects Ben Thanh in central Ho Chi Minh City with Suoi Tien in Thu Duc City.

Passengers will be able to access the free service using one of several options:

Scan a chip-based national ID card directly at the fare gate.
Use the QR HCMC METRO function in the HCMC Metro HURC app.
Collect a free QR-coded paper ticket from an automatic kiosk at the station.

The special QR function in the HCMC Metro HURC app will be available on September 2 and will be valid for the free-ride program that day.

Important: if you purchase a regular metro ticket on September 2 instead of using one of the free-entry options, the fare will still be charged and will not be refunded.

Metro Hours on September 2

Metro Line 1 will operate on an extended schedule for the National Day holiday.

Time	Metro service
5:00 AM	First services begin
5:00 AM–9:00 PM	Holiday service
9:00 PM–10:30 PM	Trains approximately every 5 minutes
11:00 PM	Service ends

The city plans to operate 264 train services on September 2, compared with 228 on a normal day.

Why the Metro Will Be Especially Useful After the Fireworks

The biggest advantage for tourists is the evening schedule.

Ho Chi Minh City is expecting very large crowds in the central area for the National Day celebrations and fireworks. After the fireworks finish, thousands of people are expected to leave the same area at roughly the same time.

That can mean heavy traffic and long waiting times for taxis and ride-hailing services.

Metro Line 1 will increase its frequency to approximately one train every five minutes between 9:00 PM and 10:30 PM.

If you are staying near Ben Thanh, this gives you an easy public transport option for getting back to your accommodation without relying entirely on road traffic.

Where to Stay If You Want to Use the Metro

If your main goal is to explore central Ho Chi Minh City and attend the National Day celebrations, accommodation in Ho Chi Minh City around the central districts is particularly convenient.

Travelers who want to minimize transportation time can stay in the city centre and walk to Ben Thanh Station.

Ben Thanh Station is close to several major tourist areas, restaurants and shopping streets, making the area convenient for first-time visitors.

If you are searching for hotels near Ben Thanh Market, staying close to the metro station can also make it easier to return to your hotel after the fireworks.

Another option is to stay around District 1 and use Metro Line 1 for longer journeys before walking to your final destination.

If you are visiting Ho Chi Minh City for the first time, choosing accommodation close to central attractions can save considerable time during a holiday when road traffic is heavier than usual.

What If You Are Staying Near Suoi Tien?

The other end of Metro Line 1 is Suoi Tien in Thu Duc City.

For travelers staying near Suoi Tien, the metro provides a direct connection into central Ho Chi Minh City without having to deal with traffic on major roads.

If you are looking for accommodation near Suoi Tien, checking the distance to the nearest metro station can be more useful than simply searching by neighborhood name.

You can also choose a hotel near Suoi Tien if visiting the eastern part of the city is an important part of your itinerary.

Metro Line 1 Route: Ben Thanh to Suoi Tien

Metro Line 1 connects central Ho Chi Minh City with Thu Duc City.

The route includes stations serving major areas such as:

Ben Thanh
Opera House
Ba Son
Van Thanh
Tan Cang
Thao Dien
An Phu
Thu Duc
Suoi Tien

This makes the metro useful not only for the fireworks but also for travelers moving between central Ho Chi Minh City and the eastern part of the city.

Ho Chi Minh City Is Expecting Heavy Public Transport Demand

The free metro service is part of a larger plan to handle the National Day crowds.

Ho Chi Minh City expects public transport to carry approximately 280,000 passenger trips per day during this year’s National Day holiday, around 29% more than during the same period last year.

The city’s 156 bus routes are expected to operate approximately 19,245 trips per day, an increase of around 8% year-on-year.

This means public transportation is expected to play a major role in moving people around Ho Chi Minh City during the celebrations.

River Bus Services Will Also Increase

Metro Line 1 is not the only public transport option being strengthened for September 2.

Saigon Waterbus will also increase its services to handle the expected National Day crowds.

This can be useful for travelers who want to see Ho Chi Minh City from the river or avoid some road congestion around the city centre.

However, if your main objective is simply getting back to your hotel after the fireworks, Metro Line 1 is likely to be the more straightforward option if your accommodation is connected to the metro route.

How to Get Around Ho Chi Minh City on September 2

If you are staying in Ho Chi Minh City during the National Day holiday, using a combination of walking, metro and Grab is likely to be more practical than relying on taxis for every journey.

For central sightseeing, walking can be the easiest option.

For longer journeys along the Metro Line 1 route, the metro is particularly attractive because it is free on September 2.

For areas not connected to the metro, Grab remains useful, although you should expect heavier traffic and potentially longer waiting times around the fireworks.

Our Grab Vietnam Guide explains how to use the service and what travelers should know before ordering a ride.

Should You Stay in District 1?

If this is your first trip to Ho Chi Minh City and you are visiting specifically for National Day, staying in District 1 is one of the simplest options.

You will be close to many of the city’s main attractions, restaurants and nightlife areas, and you can reach Ben Thanh Station on foot.

Travelers who prefer a quieter location can also base yourself near District 1 rather than staying directly on the busiest streets.

The important thing is to choose a hotel with convenient access to the central area rather than focusing only on the lowest room price.

What Time Should You Go to the Metro?

If you are planning to use the metro after the fireworks, do not wait until the last possible moment.

The period after the celebrations will be especially busy, and large numbers of people are expected to use public transport at the same time.

Try to reach the station before the largest crowds arrive.

If you are staying near Ben Thanh, walking to the station may be easier than ordering a car through central streets affected by temporary traffic restrictions.

What Travelers Should Know About the Free Metro

Date: September 2, 2026
Route: Ben Thanh–Suoi Tien Metro Line 1
Fare: Free for all passengers
Operating hours: 5:00 AM–11:00 PM
Total services: 264 trains
Evening frequency: Approximately every 5 minutes from 9:00 PM to 10:30 PM
Free-entry options: Chip-based ID card, HCMC Metro QR code or free paper QR ticket

Is the Metro Better Than Grab on National Day?

For journeys that match the Metro Line 1 route, yes, especially around the fireworks.

The metro avoids road congestion and is completely free on September 2.

Grab remains useful when your destination is outside the metro network, but the roads around central Ho Chi Minh City are likely to be much busier than normal.

If you are staying around District 1, the combination of walking and Metro Line 1 may be the easiest way to get through the evening.

The Bottom Line

Metro Line 1 will be free throughout September 2, 2026, and will operate until 11:00 PM.

The extended schedule is particularly useful for tourists attending the National Day celebrations because trains will run approximately every five minutes between 9:00 PM and 10:30 PM.

If you are staying in Ho Chi Minh City for the holiday, consider choosing accommodation within walking distance of Ben Thanh Station or another Metro Line 1 station.

For visitors who want to avoid traffic after the fireworks, the metro is likely to be one of the most practical transport options available that evening.

Just remember that the free service is specifically for September 2. If you purchase a regular ticket despite the free-ride program, the fare will still be charged.

Sources

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