85,000 Billion VND Thu Thiem - Long Thanh Railway Nearing Construction: How Will The River and The Global City Benefit? (2026)

The Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway is no longer just a blueprint on a wall. The Prime Minister has directed construction to begin before July 2, 2026 — precisely on the 50th anniversary of Ho Chi Minh City bearing the name of Uncle Ho. Cranes will rise. Construction sites will open.

For those currently holding real estate in 2026 or considering an investment, the practical question is not "is this a good project" — but rather: which areas will directly benefit, and through what mechanisms?

Achieve Realty VN provides a straightforward, unembellished analysis.

The Current Market Landscape | Setting the Right Context

Before discussing the railway, it's essential to understand where the market stands.

Ho Chi Minh City's East Area — including Thu Thiem and the An Phu region — is in a phase where infrastructure precedes population influx. The An Phu intersection is over 70% complete. Lien Phuong Road is being constructed right through The Global City. Metro Line 2, the Ben Thanh - Thu Thiem section, just commenced on April 29, 2026. And now, the addition of the Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway.

This is the context in which East Area real estate investors in 2026 find themselves: buying while East Area infrastructure is underway in 2026, yet incomplete — there are risks in waiting, but the potential for price appreciation is significantly broader than buying after everything is finished.

Price Appreciation Potential | A Factual Basis

Regarding the railway:

• The project spans nearly 42km, with 11.5km running through HCMC and 30km through Dong Nai. Total investment is estimated at nearly 85,000 billion VND (~3.4 billion USD). The design speed is 120km/h on the main line — the expected travel time from the Thu Thiem Long Thanh station location to Long Thanh airport is under 30 minutes.
• The entire route features approximately 19-20 stations, 8 of which are within HCMC territory. The terminal station — Thu Thiem Station — is located in Binh Trung Ward, between the Mai Chi Tho and Luong Dinh Cua axes. This is also where the station will intersect with Metro Line 2 and the North-South high-speed railway: three railway lines converging at a single point.

From a simpler perspective: any foreign expert working in HCMC who flies through Long Thanh can travel directly back to Thu Thiem by rail in under 30 minutes. No traffic jams. No reliance on taxis.

For the high-end rental segment catered to by Thu Thiem apartments like The River — this is a highly significant change.

The River Thu Thiem | Benefiting Through Which Mechanisms?

The River Thu Thiem is situated on the Crescent Boulevard, adjacent to Thu Thiem 1 Bridge, right in the core of the peninsula. It is approximately a 10-15 minute walk or e-bike ride from Thu Thiem Station — the terminal station.

The benefit mechanism here is not "having a station at your doorstep," but rather "living where people want to return."

Thu Thiem Station will be the largest transit hub in the East Area: connecting Metro Line 2 from District 1, the North-South high-speed railway from across the country, and the Long Thanh line from the international airport. Thu Thiem will transform from a "hard to access" location into the central connection point for the entire Southern region.

What does this mean for The River? There are two clear impacts:

• First, the pool of foreign expat tenants will broaden considerably. Currently, foreign experts at The River primarily work in District 1 or Thu Thiem. When Long Thanh becomes operational and the railway connects, groups of experts working in logistics clusters and industrial zones along the Dong Nai route might also consider living in Thu Thiem and commuting by rail.
• Second, the rental prices for river-view apartments at The River have a reason for re-evaluation. Currently, 2-bedroom units are renting for 30-40 million VND/month, while 3-bedroom units with private elevator lobbies start from 50-65 million VND. When the area's transportation connectivity features are enhanced with a new layer — the rental market typically responds within 12-18 months after the infrastructure's specific progress is confirmed.

The Global City | A Completely Different, More Direct Story

If The River benefits indirectly through the pull of Thu Thiem Station, then The Global City and its SOHO row receive something much more concrete: two expected railway stations passing right through the project's vicinity.

Binh Trung Station and Do Xuan Hop Station — two of the 8 stations within the HCMC segment of the route — are located on the alignment passing through the An Phu/Binh Trung area. The Global City has direct frontage on Do Xuan Hop Street. This is a highly valuable geographical coincidence.

Direct impact on the SOHO row:

Masterise has managed to draw weekend crowds to The Global City via the musical fountain canal and City Park. However, weekend footfall and weekday footfall are entirely different narratives. With The Global City metro/railway station right next door, the SOHO row will truly have the necessary conditions for major F&B brands and services to sign long-term lease agreements — because traffic is guaranteed 7 days a week, not just on weekends.

For those currently holding SOHO units at The Global City, this is crucial information to monitor closely: SOHO rental cash flow will only truly stabilize when the surrounding transportation infrastructure is synchronized.

Impact on the high-rise subdivision:

Masteri Grand View and Lumière Midtown are currently valued at 120-160 million VND/sqm. With the railway coming into operation (expected in 2030), the entire East Area will be re-evaluated. The lesson from Metro Line 1 Ben Thanh - Suoi Tien has shown: Real estate around stations increased by 20-40% during the period from groundbreaking to commercial operation. The Global City is at the beginning of that 2026 price appreciation cycle.

Risks to Consider | Unembellished Facts

Achieve Realty VN does not sell expectations. There are three things to state frankly:

• Firstly, the gap between "groundbreaking" and "operation" is substantial. The Thu Thiem - Long Thanh railway is expected to be completed in 2030. Four years is ample time for many things to change — schedules, capital, contractors. Do not purchase real estate solely because of a railway that hasn't even laid its foundations.
• Secondly, exact station locations are still in the technical determination process. Do Xuan Hop Station is planning information — not a station with a final approved location down to the centimeter. SOHO buyers should understand this.
• Thirdly, real estate loan interest rates are currently at 12-14%/year. If purchasing SOHO with significant financial leverage, cash flow pressure is real — especially when the area is not yet fully occupied.

Comparison With Other Options

Within the portfolio currently distributed by Achieve Realty VN, here is a clear stratification:

• Thu Thiem (The River, Metropole, Empire City, Zeit River): benefits from Thu Thiem Station — a hub connecting 3 lines. High-end rental segment, expat clientele. Prices are already high, upside lies in rental yield and secondary market liquidity.
• The Global City: benefits more directly from stations on the line. Current prices are lower than Thu Thiem by ~30-40%. Upside lies in long-term price appreciation as infrastructure matures. Suitable for buyers holding for 5-7 years.

The River vs The Global City is not an apples-to-apples comparison. One is a purchase for immediate living and renting. The other is a purchase anticipating infrastructure development.

To Buy or Not to Buy?

The Thu Thiem Long Thanh railway and 2026 real estate is an infrastructure project with clear, long-term impact on the entire East Area axis. Commencing construction in July 2026 shifts the narrative from "planning" to "active project" — an important psychological shift for the real estate market.

• The River: If you are looking for an asset to rent out immediately, with clean legal status (pink book available), and a stable expat community — then the railway infrastructure is an additional reason to hold, not a reason for a new purchase.
• The Global City: If you have a 5-7 year vision, wish to buy at a price point that hasn't yet fully reflected the infrastructure, and can withstand the commercial occupancy waiting period — this is a more appropriate time for serious consideration.

Neither is a "guaranteed profit." But both have a much clearer narrative now compared to 12 months ago.