Biên Hòa

Biên Hòa is a provincial capital in Đồng Nai, roughly 19 miles (30 kilometers) northeast of Ho Chi Minh City. The settlement spreads along the Đồng Nai River across flat and gently rolling terrain, with residential districts alternating with factories and warehouses.

The settlement developed in the 17th century around a river crossing, and migrants from northern regions founded villages here. In the 19th century, French administrations built roads and government buildings, transforming the place into a provincial center.

Along many streets, mechanics repair engines on sidewalks while vendors set up food stalls between parked trucks. The name comes from an old boundary zone, and the settlement continues to connect workers from different provinces who start their shifts here every day.

Buses run frequently to Ho Chi Minh City and take between one and two hours depending on traffic. Most government offices and banks open in the morning, and public facilities are located near the river area.

Some workshops continue to produce ceramic vessels using techniques passed down for generations. On the outskirts, workers extract granite from small quarries that supply construction sites across southern Vietnam.