Each measures 21 meters in length and weighs 37 tons.

From Khanh Hoi Port in District 4 they will be transported by trailer trucks to the Long Binh Depot in District 9 on Friday night.

They had been originally scheduled to arrive in early April, but were delayed along with Japanese engineers due to the Covid-19 travel restrictions. It is not known yet when the rest of the coaches will be shipped.

Every three-coach train can carry 930 passengers, including 783 standees.

The 19.7-km metro route No.1 from Ben Thanh Market in District 1 to Suoi Tien theme park in District 9 will have 17 trains.

Construction is expected to cost VND43.7 trillion ($1.89 billion), and the line will have 14 stations, 11 elevated and three underground.

The much-delayed construction began in August 2012, and work is now 76 percent complete.

The city hopes to complete 85 percent this year and begin commercial operations by the end of next year.

Six engineers arrived from Japan on September 18 and are now working on tracks installation and equipment maintenance.

The city plans to build eight metro lines running a total 220 km.