Bien Hoa, Vietnam

Classified as one of the oldest cities in the south, Bien Hoa is located in the southern part of Vietnam in the Dong Nai Province. It’s situated 30 km east of Ho Chi Minh City and nearby to the Dong Nai River and Mekong River. It’s definitely one of Vietnam’s fast-growing cities after it leaped past the 1 million population mark back in 2015.

History

Bien Hoa Vietnam Tran Bien Temple of Literature — Trấn Biên Temple of Literature, a Vietnamese Confucian temple. Photo: Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên

Like most cities in Vietnam, Bien Hoa has its fair share of struggle during the wars. Before the battle in 1975, the city has a booming park district that produces steel, refrigeration equipment, batteries, paper, motorbikes, radios, televisions, and knitted textiles.

It also had hospitals and ceramic schools. Most of them were destroyed because of the war but eventually after chaos, most of them were restored and new buildings were built. Because of its close proximity to Ho Chi Minh City, formerly known as Saigon, it was transformed into a major suburb where thousands of refugees from northern and central regions resettled.

Today, it is a central industrial center in southern Vietnam where several factories from the USA, Japan, Singapore, and other foreign countries operate.

Major Attractions

Bien Hoa Vietnam Nguyen Huu Canh Temple in Cu Lao Pho — Nguyễn Hữu Cảnh temple in Cù Lao Phố. Photo: Bùi Thụy Đào Nguyên

There are a lot of activities for tourists to enjoy in Bien Hoa during any time of year. We’ll cover some of the main ones below. For additional attractions, check out the top things to do in Dong Nai.

Buu Long Tourist Site

Located in the provincial city of Dong Nai province, this spot is often visited because of its renowned miniature version of Ha Long Bay. The tourist site covers approximately 64 hectares of natural spots to be discovered like Long An Lake, Long An Mountain, and the Long Son ancient pagodas.

Dong Nai Culture and Natural Reserve

For guests who are looking to experience the natural beauty of Bien Hoa, this place is worth a visit. It is located on 2.4 million hectares of land within the protected area of Cat Tien National Park. It is home to a lot of endangered species, historical sites, and plant life. There is also a lake in the middle of the reserve where guests can rent boats that could tour them around the vicinity.

Dong Nai Museum

The museum is house to more than 20,000 items that showcase the history and art of Vietnam. Tourists can visit the museum every day which is easily accessible since it is located right in the center of Bien Hoa.

Mango Garden Resort

This is a recommended attraction especially for families who are traveling with kids. It is an open land where guests can enjoy the water scenery and sightsee different kinds of animals. Mango Garden is also a lodge where visitors can dine, access the pool and enjoy the evening entertainment. This beautiful outdoor zoo is located just east of downtown Bien Hoa.

Enjoy Traditional Bien Hoa Food

Aside from culture and history, Bien Hoa also has exceptional cuisine. If you walk along the street market, you will come across different food stands that sell various food. You can try their locally grown fruits or sweet soup made from fresh meat and seafood.

Take a Dip in One of the Resorts

Just a 20-minute drive down the center of Bien Hoa, you can find a resort called Thuy Chau. This isn’t your traditional resort with pools, but instead, it is composed of streams and ponds. It is usually packed with guests during the weekends and even on weekdays, so plan your trip here more thoughtfully.

Accommodations

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As the most populated city in Dong Nai Province, Bien Hoa has several luxury hotels worth checking out. If upscale accommodations are out of your budget, rest assured Bien Hoa still has you covered. Like any large city in Vietnam, you’ll find a range of quality hotels and vacation rentals suitable for all types of travelers.