Traffic HCMC Transforms Urban Landscape with Ambitious Underground Cable Project

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Beneath the bustling streets of Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City), an ambitious transformation is underway. The city is driving forward with an extensive plan to convert overhead power lines and telecommunications cables to underground systems. This project not only aims to beautify the urban landscape but also significantly enhances public safety and infrastructure reliability, aligning with the city's vision for modernity.

 

The Need for Undergrounding

 

Overhead wires have long posed aesthetic and safety concerns in HCM City. Their tangled presence led to fears of accidents during storms and signalled aging infrastructure issues, prompting city leaders to act decisively against this urban clutter.

 

As HCM City's population rapidly expands, so does the demand for robust infrastructure. City planners, together with utility companies and telecom providers, recognised the necessity of reducing the risks associated with overhead lines. As a result, the city adopted a comprehensive approach to place wires underground, spurring a long-term initiative that has been in motion for over a decade.

 

The Vision and Progress

 

The undergrounding initiative is led by the HCM City People’s Committee, alongside partners like the HCM City Power Corporation (EVNHCMC), Viettel, VNPT, and other telecom enterprises. From 2011 to 2021, a significant amount of progress was made with 93 projects successfully converting more than 370 kilometres of medium and low-voltage lines to underground systems. These efforts primarily focused on central districts like District 1, District 3, and parts of District 5, where overhead wires were most prevalent.

 

Nguyễn Văn Thanh, Deputy Director of EVNHCMC's Technical Department, emphasised the multifaceted benefits of the programme. “Undergrounding the power grid is not just about aesthetics. It improves reliability, reduces maintenance costs over the long term, and enhances safety for residents,” he explained. This approach also facilitates better coordination among utilities, as more streamlined infrastructure paves the way for future innovations.

 

Upcoming Developments

 

Looking ahead, from 2021 to 2025, HCM City plans to implement 217 more undergrounding projects, targeting an extension of 500 kilometres of cable network. By 2030, the ambition is for the city centre and emerging urban areas, such as Thủ Thiêm, Phú Mỹ Hưng, and the Tân Sơn Nhất – Bình Chánh axis, to be largely free of exposed utility lines.

 

Challenging Path to Modernisation

 

The path to full implementation is not without its hurdles. The logistical challenges posed by HCM City's dense urban environment, legacy infrastructure, narrow streets, and unpredictable underground obstacles demand meticulous planning.

 

Project supervisor Phạm Minh Hùng, working on Nguyễn Đình Chiểu Street in District 3, noted, “Each street is unique, with old drainage systems or unmarked water pipes presenting unexpected challenges.” Despite these difficulties, thorough planning and execution are essential to minimising disruptions to daily life and ensuring smooth transitions.

 

Collaboration and Shared Infrastructure Model

 

Stakeholder coordination is crucial. Electricity providers, telecom companies, and city agencies must work in tandem to ensure harmonious coexistence of cables within shared underground networks. To this end, HCM City has adopted a shared infrastructure model, wherein joint trenches house power and telecom cables side by side, simplifying both installation and future maintenance.

 

Financial Hurdles and Innovative Partnerships

 

Financial constraints remain a significant challenge, as undergrounding costs are considerably higher than traditional overhead structures. Estimates suggest costs can run five to seven times higher. For instance, burying one kilometre of low-voltage cable may cost around VNĐ20–30 billion, contingent upon terrain and other factors.

 

To address these financial hurdles, HCM City encourages telecom companies to invest, particularly in areas where they stand to benefit. Public-private partnerships (PPP) are gaining traction as an effective model, alleviating pressure on public finances while fostering collaboration and accelerating progress. A successful pilot PPP in District 1 has led to plans for expanding this approach citywide.

 

Lê Thị Hòa, a planning officer from the HCM City Department of Construction, remarked, “Shared investment is the way forward. The State cannot do this alone, but with private sector involvement, the process is faster and more efficient.”

 

Realising Benefits Beyond Aesthetics

 

For residents, the impact of underground cables extends beyond just improved aesthetics. During the rainy season, the absence of fallen poles and dangling wires reduces safety risks. Since the undertaking of these projects, EVNHCMC reports a notable reduction in service interruptions. In District 1, where buried grids are prominent, power outages due to weather or technical faults have decreased by over 40% between 2017 and 2023.

 

Businesses, particularly those in finance, tourism, and IT, benefit from enhanced stability and reliability in power and internet supplies, crucial for uninterrupted operations. As Trần Quang Long, a hotel manager on Lý Tự Trọng Street, shared, “Even an hour without power or internet can result in major losses. Since the cables went underground here, we’ve seen a marked improvement in stability.”

 

Learning from Global Examples

 

HCM City is not alone in this effort. Other Vietnamese cities like Hà Nội and Đà Nẵng are also advancing their underground cable initiatives, albeit at varying speeds. Internationally, cities like Singapore, Tokyo, and Seoul serve as models, offering insights on financing, regulatory frameworks, and public engagement.

 

Building on these examples, HCM City is planning to incorporate smart grid technologies into its buried networks, integrating real-time fault detection, remote-controlled infrastructure, and ensuring preparedness for a 5G rollout and future smart city innovations.

 

The Road Ahead

 

Despite remarkable strides, officials acknowledge the long road ahead. As of 2024, only a fraction of HCM City's more than 5,000 kilometres of utility lines have been moved underground. Outer districts such as Bình Tân, Hóc Môn, and Củ Chi remain largely untouched due to logistical and financial constraints.

 

However, the city maintains a sense of urgency. In late 2023, the People’s Committee approved a plan to accelerate the process, setting annual targets and delegating responsibilities to district authorities, minimizing bureaucratic delays and speeding up implementation.

 

For long-time residents, the change is palpable and welcomed. “There used to be wires like cobwebs everywhere,” reflects 65-year-old Lê Văn Đức of District 5. “Now, when I look up, I can see the sky – it feels cleaner, safer, and more civilised.”

 

In laying cables underground, HCM City is not only transforming its skyline but also laying the groundwork for a smarter, safer, and more beautiful future. The invisible work beneath the streets is testament to the city’s commitment to modernity and an improved urban environment.

 

  Adapted by ASEAN Now from Vietnam News 2025-06-04