Ho Chi Minh City, 31 July, 2025 — The Ho Chi Minh City Department of Construction, in collaboration with Phuong Trang Joint Stock Company – FUTA Bus Lines, officially announced the launch of 35 subsidised bus routes, of which 27 are fully electric, across the city. This marks an important milestone in realising the goal of having 100% of buses powered by green energy by 2030, in line with the Government’s orientation and National Assembly Resolution No. 98/2023/QH15 dated 24 June, 2023.
557 New Buses, Including 443 Modern Electric Vehicles
From 1 August 2025, FUTA Bus Lines will operate 35 new routes, comprising 27 fully electric bus routes (EVs) and 8 diesel-powered routes. More than 557 new buses will be deployed, including 443 electric buses, increasing the city’s total number of electric buses to 613, or 26.2% of its entire fleet. Including approximately 500 existing CNG buses, the proportion of clean, environmentally friendly buses will reach nearly 48%.
All the new buses were manufactured at the Kim Long Motor Factory in Hue, meeting international standards and equipped with advanced features such as surveillance cameras, GPS navigation, automated announcement systems, free Wi-Fi, and cashless payment options, improving service quality and enhancing passenger experience.
Integrated Network for Diverse Travel Needs
The new bus routes are strategically planned with reasonable itineraries and schedules, while closely integrating with the future metro network to maximise convenience for residents and visitors. A free fare policy will apply to several passenger groups, including children under 1.3 metres tall, people with disabilities, war veterans, senior citizens over 70 years old, and those with official free bus passes. This reflects the city’s social inclusivity and encourages greater use of public transport.
A Strategic Step Towards Green and Sustainable Mobility
Ho Chi Minh City is accelerating its green transport transition roadmap, aiming for all buses to run on electricity or green energy by 2030. This is a key part of the “Vehicle Emission Control Project,” led by the Department of Construction, to be implemented in two phases:
- Phase 1 (from 2025): Establish roadmaps and policies to support the transition of buses to clean energy; develop charging and battery replacement infrastructure; and provide incentives for businesses to renew their fleets.
- Phase 2: Implement policies for purchasing and replacing old vehicles with electric buses, offer incentives for businesses converting to electric fleets, and study traffic zoning to prioritise green vehicles in central Ho Chi Minh City, Can Gio District, and Con Dao.
The project is also being revised to expand its scope following Ho Chi Minh City’s administrative merger with Binh Duong and Ba Ria–Vung Tau, with a proposal expected to be submitted to the City People’s Council in the fourth quarter of 2025.
The simultaneous launch of 35 new bus routes — including 27 electric routes — represents a major milestone in Ho Chi Minh City’s journey towards green public transport. It demonstrates a strong commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions, easing traffic congestion, and improving urban air quality.
This initiative also serves as a key step towards achieving the citywide goal of 100% green-energy buses by 2030, aligning with Viet Nam’s commitments at COP26 to cut emissions and advance sustainable development.
