[Vietnam/Thailand Visit Day 4 Part 2] Blueprint for the Future – A Journey to the New City of Binh Duong
1. Introduction
During my morning stroll through Phu My Hung (District 7), I caught a glimpse of the 'future face' of Ho Chi Minh City. However, Vietnam's thirst for development did not stop there. In the early afternoon, I decided to head further north to 'Binh Duong New City,' a satellite city of Ho Chi Minh City that is being developed on a national scale.
In fact, this visit to Binh Duong New City was not recommended by AI. It just so happened that a few days before my trip, I discovered an article on Facebook written by an acquaintance in the real estate industry about the development of this area. That prompted me to consult with him, which led to my visit. Thank you, Mr. I.
This place is a grand experimental ground for a future city, created through a partnership between 'Becamex,' a developer driving Vietnam's industry, and Japan's 'Tokyu Group.' It is not merely a bedroom community. It is a city designed from scratch to serve as a hub for administration, commerce, industry, and international exchange.
The afternoon journey is, in a sense, a tour of a 'blueprint for the future.' I wondered what kind of life was being envisioned on this vast land that still smelled of earth. As a traveler and someone interested in how cities are formed, I got into the car with high expectations to witness this grand vision with my own eyes.
2. Timeline
2.1. To the Gateway of the Future City <13:09–14:00>
I took a Grab from District 7 in Ho Chi Minh City, a journey of a little over an hour. The scenery outside the window gradually became more rural, and as the view opened up, modern buildings appeared on a vast site. This was the gateway to Binh Duong New City, the 'World Trade Center Expo.'
The flags of various countries, including Japan, the United States, and Singapore, fluttering in the wind, indicated that this is an international business hub. I headed straight to the showroom that conveys the vision of this new city.
Panels covering the walls detailed the history and future vision of the urban development being undertaken by Becamex Tokyu. Plans for transportation networks, commercial facilities, offices, and lush residential environments—it seemed that Japanese urban development know-how was being fused to weave a single grand story.
And the culmination of that entire story was the massive city model sitting in the center of the room. Orderly streets, a cityscape where high-rise buildings and low-rise residences harmonized, and vast parks. It was truly a blueprint for future living. I felt as if I could hear the heartbeat of the city yet to be born from within the quiet model.
2.2. A Glimpse into Future Living <14:00–14:30>
After seeing the blueprints, I experienced a 'sample of life' where that future is condensed. I was guided to a model room for a condominium unit.
The warm, wood-grain door was equipped with the latest electronic lock. Room number 'B810.' Beyond this door lay the new daily life of Vietnam.
Stepping inside, I found a sophisticated space. A dining table with a marble top and a modern kitchen unified in dark brown. The space, which balanced functionality and design, was no different from a newly built condominium in an urban area of Japan.
Or rather, it was an open space with high ceilings.
According to the explanation from the Tokyu representative, it costs in the 30 million range for 100 square meters. Compared to current condominium prices in Tokyo, the figure felt easy on the eyes.
2.3. Daily Life in the New City and a Feast of Conveyor Belt Hot Pot <14:30–17:32>
After experiencing life in the future, I headed to the Sora Gardens SC (AEON MALL), a shopping mall at the heart of the new city, to experience the "present" of this place. Operated by Japan's AEON Mall, this spot was bustling with the daily lives of the local people.
In the mall's sales area, I witnessed an interesting sight: a wall completely covered in colorful helmets. Yes, no matter how futuristic this city may be, people still rely on motorbikes to get around. This scene seemed to symbolize the fusion of Vietnam's unchanging daily life with a new lifestyle, and I couldn't help but smile.
Tired from walking, I decided to have a late lunch. I chose "Kichi-Kichi," a popular conveyor belt hot pot restaurant in Vietnam.
Much like conveyor belt sushi, small plates with various ingredients travel along a belt. While thinly sliced beef and fresh seafood are ordered separately, you can help yourself to as many vegetables as you like for your own pot. It is simple and rational.
It was truly a meal that suited the spirit of this new city. As I sat around the steaming hot pot, I reflected on my day in this city of the future.
3. Summary of the Trip
The afternoon of the fourth day in Ho Chi Minh City was a valuable experience, taking me one step further into the future from Phu My Hung to the Binh Duong New City. It was a time that felt like catching a glimpse of the prologue to a grand process, where a single line drawn on a map eventually becomes a massive city that nurtures people's lives.
The grand blueprints I saw in the showroom and the breath of daily life I felt at the AEON Mall—by touching both, I once again realized the immense potential for the future that the country of Vietnam possesses. The old town with its chaotic energy, and the new city filled with order and silence. Having these two extreme faces is likely the strength and fascination of modern Vietnam. The journey is not over yet.
4. Supplementary Information
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GPS Data (Times are local time)
2025-08-15 13:24:00 | 11.056797, 106.685775 | World Trade Center BÌNH DƯƠNG NEW CITY
2025-08-15 13:59:36 | 11.057353, 106.684761 | Binh Duong New City Showroom
2025-08-15 14:07:53 | 11.057364, 106.685150 | Model Room
2025-08-15 15:42:46 | 11.045383, 106.678931 | Sora Gardens SC (AEON MALL) / Kichi-Kichi
Wise Usage Information: The log for this time period includes a payment record at AEON (3,637 yen).
Grab Usage Information: According to Google Timeline, a taxi trip from District 7 of Ho Chi Minh City to Binh Duong New City is recorded for the afternoon of the 15th.
Step Count Information: The total step count for Friday, August 15th, was 18,788 steps.
To be continued