In a unique turn of events, the 26-hectare plot of land acquired for the Tan Kien Depot on Ho Chi Minh City’s metro line 3A has been repurposed by locals for agriculture. Originally cleared and fenced off at a cost of over 26 billion Vietnamese Dong (1 million United States Dollars) thirteen years ago, the land in Binh Chanh District now lies unused and overgrown with weeds.

Despite the delays, there is optimism for the future of the Ben Thanh - Tan Kien metro line, which will span 20 kilometers from District 1 to Binh Chanh District. Estimated to cost 2.8 billion United States Dollars, the project will be built in two phases, with work on phase one expected to start in 2025 and be completed by 2031.

The Ho Chi Minh City Urban Railway Management Board (MAUR) is actively working to resolve the site clearance issues and ensure the land meets construction standards. The community's innovative use of the land for fish farming and lotus planting highlights the resilience and resourcefulness of the local residents.

MAUR has proposed allowing temporary commercial use of the land to generate value while awaiting construction. This approach aims to balance community needs with the city's long-term infrastructure goals.

Metro line 3A is part of an ambitious plan to build eight metro lines in the city, with a total of 10 depots covering 222 hectares. Progress on the Long Binh Depot for line No. 1 is nearly complete, and land acquisition for Metro Line No. 2 is underway, with construction set to begin next year.