Fifty years after liberation, along with the remarkable development of Binh Duong province, Ben Cat city—the heroic homeland of the "Iron Triangle" tunnel—has transformed into a locality with rapid industrialization and urbanization. Once a land ravaged by bombs and artillery, it has now become the industrial hub of the province’s northern region. With a vision and aspiration to rise alongside the nation in this new era, Ben Cat is striving tirelessly to become a "golden haven" as envisioned and hoped for by former General Secretary Nong Duc Manh during his visit and meeting with local officials and residents in September 2005.
Vitality on "Iron Triangle" land
During the two resistance wars against colonial and imperial forces for national independence, many locations such as War Zone D, Thuan An Hoa War Zone, Vinh Loi War Zone, Ho Lang Revolutionary Base… became legendary with their glorious victories, marking heroic pages in the nation’s revolutionary history. Among them, the underground tunnels of the three southwestern communes, also known as the "Iron Triangle" tunnels, played a particularly crucial role in both resistance wars, especially during the struggle against American forces.
Ben Cat, once a land scarred by bombs and artillery, has now risen to become the industrial capital of the province’s northern region
With a tunnel system stretching nearly 100 kilometers, around 50 combat bunkers and numerous shelters for hiding, treating the wounded, storing weapons, food and supplies, the Tay Nam tunnel served as a strategic base for many revolutionary organizations and resistance forces. This underground stronghold was not only a crucial command center, but also a fierce battleground where enemy forces were ambushed and eliminated. From this base, key armed forces launched major offensives into enemy strongholds during pivotal battles and campaigns such as the Le Hong Phong Campaign in 1950, ambushes along the route 14 and counterattacks against enemy raids. Throughout 20 years of resistance against American imperialist aggression, leveraging the tunnel system, soldiers and people of the three Tay Nam communes fought valiantly, eliminating thousands of enemy troops and destroying hundreds of tanks and armored vehicles. Especially during the Tet Offensive in 1968 and the Spring Campaign of 1975, the Tay Nam tunnel served as a key assembly point for large military units before advancing into Saigon, contributing to the nationwide victory in 1975.
After peace was restored, the people of Ben Cat in general and the three Tay Nam communes in particular, upheld their heroic revolutionary tradition and committed themselves to rebuilding their homeland. They transformed the once war-torn "land of fire" into a modern urban industrial center, attracting both domestic and international investors. In recent years, the three communes of An Dien, An Tay and Phu An have undergone rapid and remarkable development. Notably, An Tay and An Dien have experienced significant economic restructuring, with increased contributions from industry, services and commerce, thanks to investment from the province and Ben Cat city.
Breakthrough prospects
After more than 28 years of construction and development, the Party, government and people of Binh Duong province have united in their efforts, overcoming numerous difficulties and challenges to achieve remarkable accomplishments in all aspects, including the economy, culture, society, national defense, security, Party building and political system development. Notably, the province's annual GRDP growth rate, per capita average income and economic growth indicators have consistently ranked among the highest in the country. Amid Binh Duong’s proud achievements, there is an increasingly important contribution from Ben Cat - a land rich in revolutionary traditions.
With its strategically important location and heroic history, the people and armed forces of Ben Cat have always stood united, bravely fighting against foreign invaders while striving for comprehensive development in all aspects. In its development strategy, Ben Cat places “people and businesses at the center”, leveraging industrial growth as the driving force for urban and service development while supporting agricultural development. This is clearly reflected in the increasingly bright, green, clean and beautiful urban image.
Not only emerging as a key industrial and urban growth hub in the northern region of the province, Ben Cat city is also striving to become a center for high-tech and clean industries, scientific research and technology transfer. Additionally, Ben Cat aims at establishing a well-balanced development model that supports the central urban area while minimizing the impacts of climate change. The city is focusing on specialized sectoral development, including a medical center, an education and training hub, a national and international sports and entertainment complex, a financial and commercial center, a logistics service hub and a multimodal transportation gateway in the northern part of the central urban region.
Currently, Ben Cat city is home to eight industrial parks covering a total area of over 4,000 hectares, along with a concentrated production zone spanning nearly 48 hectares, providing jobs for nearly 200,000 workers. In 2024 alone, the city attracted 563 investment projects, bringing the total number of projects in the area to over 7,000. Industry continues to be the key economic sector in the city's economic structure.
Alongside industrial growth, Ben Cat city is prioritizing urban development with a vision of becoming a modern, smart and civilized city. A key focus is to attract investment to develop urban areas along the belt road 4, including port-logistics-service urban zones, commercial-service urban zones, high-rise mixed-use complexes... The city is also committed to upgrading major routes to drive urban expansion and enhance connectivity between North-South and East-West corridors. Additionally, efforts are being made to develop river ports along the Saigon and Thi Tinh rivers, contributing to the completion of essential infrastructure to support both urban development and overall socio-economic growth.
As Ben Cat city moves forward, it will face both opportunities and challenges. However, with confidence in the local future, the Party, government, armed forces and people of Ben Cat will continue upholding the glorious revolutionary traditions of their homeland. With dynamism, innovation and unity, they are determined to build up a more modern and civilized city, advancing alongside the nation into a new era—an era of national resurgence, being worthy of the generations of fathers and brothers who sacrificed their blood and bones to gain independence and freedom for the nation....
Master plan for North An Tay and East An Tay urban areas
According to the approved master plan, the North An Tay Urban Area Project covers an area of 70 hectares in Ban Cat city’s An Tay ward. The project site is strategically located adjacent to key streets, including DT.744, DH 609 and the planned belt road 4.
The North An Tay Urban Area project spans over 288 hectares, covering both An Tay ward and Phu An commune. The two planned projects are expected to include apartment complexes and townhouses with mixed-use functionality, integrated with commercial and service facilities such as office spaces, shopping centers, supermarkets and restaurants. Additionally, they will feature educational institutions, including kindergartens, primary schools and secondary schools, along with healthcare facilities and public infrastructure such as parks and green spaces, creating an ideal, safe and environmentally friendly living environment.
Reported by Dinh Hau-Translated by Kim Tin
