Ho Chi Minh City Opens Its First Metro Line   

• Thousands of Ho Chi Minh City residents gathered to board train carriages on Dec. 22 to celebrate the opening of the city’s first-ever metro line after years of delays. The $1.7 billion project, funded mostly by Japanese government loans, took 17 years to complete. Approved in 2007, the construction of the nearly 20-km-long line running from the city center faced numerous setbacks. The original plan promised the line would open by 2017. The delays led to worsening traffic congestion and pollution in the city of 9 million people. Despite the delays, residents were excited for the grand opening. Women in traditional ao dai, soldiers in uniform, and families with young children lined up at stations to experience the metro. “Our city is now on par with the other big cities of the world,” said office worker Nguyen Nhu Huyen. Deputy Mayor Bui Xuan Cuong states the metro will alleviate traffic and reduce pollution. Luis Apolo Staff Reporter junior/1737615598/1613367813