The Vietnamese word for “district” can be either “quan” or “huyen”. While “quan” has a fancy, cosmopolitan feel, “huyen” has more rustic connotations. Binh Chanh falls into the latter category, often called “huyen Binh Chanh”. But rather than being a dull countryside, Binh Chanh District harbors great potential. From unique homestays to historical and cultural attractions, the charm of Binh Chanh goes way beyond many locals’ expectations and assumptions, not to mention foreigners.
Binh Chanh District Overview
Binh Chanh District occupies roughly 12% of Ho Chi Minh City’s total area, which equates to a little over 250 square kilometers. Metaphorically speaking, it guards the western gate of Ho Chi Minh City. Originally, Binh Chanh District even covered a wider area, but in 2003, the city government split part of it to establish ten wards for its neighboring district, Binh Tan.
As a suburban district in Ho Chi Minh City, Binh Chanh has neighbors that are, for the most part, suburban as well, namely Hoc Mon District to the north, Binh Tan District, District 7, District 8 and Nha Be District to the east, and three districts of Long An Province to the south and west. With such a location, Binh Chanh District is likened to a pivotal bridge of trade and communication between the Mekong Delta region and the socio-economic centers of the eastern half of South Vietnam. The crucial arteries of Binh Chanh District are Quoc Lo 1A (1A Highway), Nguyen Van Linh Highway, Tinh Lo 10, and Quoc Lo 50.
However, the odds seemingly are not in Binh Chanh’s favor regarding nature. The district boasts many rivers and channels (10 of which are major ones), yet pollution of varying levels plagues these inherent watercourses due to their position as the lower-reach regions. Most pollution stems from poorly treated sewage from major industrial corporations in the city. There are forests in the district too, but their area is relatively meager.
The soil is another significant talking point. With very poor soil texture and high levels of minerals that are hostile to farming, planting fruits, flowers, and agricultural production, the economy of Binh Chanh District relies most heavily on the industrial sector, followed by commerce and the service sector, while the agriculture sector accounts for only a meager percentage.
Nevertheless, in terms of socioeconomics, Binh Chanh District is home to a rich and diverse culture featuring the most popular ethnic groups, such as the Kinh, Cham, and Khmer People. Visiting Binh Chanh District promises an intriguing cultural experience if one cares to explore.
How to Get to Binh Chanh District
The distance between Binh Chanh District and Tan Son Nhat Airport is 22 kilometers, so depending on your means of transportation and the road traffic, your travel time will vary between 1 hour and 2 hours.
By Bus
The shortest bus route is Bus No. 148 – Bus No. 09. To follow this route, you need to travel 1.3 km from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Mien Tay Station (West Station), catch the Bus No. 148 to Go Vap, then catch the Bus No. 09 to Hung Long commune in Binh Chanh District. Total travel time: 1 hour 40 minutes.
If you want to travel to District 1 and Chinatown first, you can take the shuttle bus from Tan Son Nhat Airport to Ben Thanh Station (No. 109), from Ben Thanh Station to Cho Lon Station (No. 1), and from Cho Lon Station to Binh Chanh District (No. 09). However, it would take more time.
Cost: US$1 (bus fares are included; a cab from Tan Son Nhat Airport to West Station may cost an extra amount).
More on how to catch a bus in Ho Chi Minh City.
By Taxi
Travel time is significantly less, around 1 hour only, because no wait or finding a bus stop is required. However, the fare will fluctuate between US$8 – US$13.
Attractions in Binh Chanh District
Binh Chanh District was an essential military base area, so historical sites are a specialty here. Lang Le—Bau Co and Rach Gia are the most prominent ones. The concrete structures and sculptures in these sites were, in fact, built after the war by the district authority and the residents as an expression of gratitude to the bravery and sacrifice of Vietnamese soldiers. Also, cultural sites have been around since the early 19th century, such as Tan Tuc Temple.
Along with the landmarks of history, Binh Chanh District has also seen the birth of new and tantalizing entertainment areas, primarily as private businesses. Fishing lakes, amusement parks, and breathtaking resorts in Binh Chanh are worth a visit.
| Name | Entrance Fee | Address | Category |
| Lang Le – Bau Co | Free | Ward 1, Tan Nhut Commune | Historical site |
| Lang Le Park | Free entrance | Le Chinh Dang Street, Ward 1, Le Minh Xuan Commune | Amusement park |
| Rach Gia | Free | Ward 6, Hung Long Commune | Historical site |
| Bat Buu Phat Dai – Phat Co Don (The Lonely Buddha) Pagoda | Free | Ward 1, Le Minh Xuan Commune | Cultural site |
| Tan Tuc Temple | Free | Nguyen Huu Tri Street, Ward 2, Tan Tuc Commune | Cultural site |
| Phu Lac Temple | Free | E7/117, Ward 5, Phong Phu Commune | Cultural site |
| Xuan Huong Recreational Fishing and Dining | Depends on service type (around US$2.5 for fishing) | C12/40 Long Vinh Street, Ward 5, Binh Hung Commune | Fishing lake and Restaurant |
| Thanh Long Recreational Fishing and Grill Bar | Depends on service type | B8/251 Quoc Lo 50 (Highway No.50), Ward 2, Phong Phu Commune | Fishing lake and Restaurant |
Eating in Binh Chanh District
Despite being a suburban district, Binh Chanh is no less than any of its downtown counterparts in terms of food and dining. The omnipresent restaurants and coffee shops here are go-to spots for family gatherings, meetups, and after-work parties on weekends and weekdays alike.
To enjoy the best of Binh Chanh cuisine, simply go to Pham Hung Street. See the table below for more details.
| Category | Location |
| Local Food Restaurants | Cua Ven Song (Riverside Seafood Restaurant) – C4/28 Pham Hung Street, Binh Hung Commune BBQ restaurant, Grill bars, Goat hot pot restaurants and Vietnamese cuisine restaurants can be found in Trung Son Residential Area |
| Street Eats | All kinds of Vietnamese snacks and street eats can be found on Pham Hung Street |
| Fast Food Restaurants | KFC Centre Mall – C6/27 Pham Hung Street, Binh Hung Commune Lotteria – D19/22/2 Vinh Loc Street, Vinh Loc B Commune |
| Cafe | Love Garden – B11/1J, Ward 2A, Vinh Loc B Commune Paris Cafe – 12 Street No. 10A, Phong Phu Commune |
Shopping in Binh Chanh District
This may be the one aspect that Binh Chanh lacks compared to other districts in Ho Chi Minh. Perhaps this is one of the reasons why residents there lean towards online shopping and rely heavily on shipping services. A popular joke going around on social media is that shipping to Binh Chanh can cost as much as international shipping.
Binh Chanh Market is the biggest and busiest one in the area. Unlike Hoc Mon District, which seems to be more rustic, Binh Chanh has a modern Centre Mall on Pham Hung Street.
| Category | Address | What to Buy |
| Local markets | Binh Chanh Market – QL1A (Highway 1A), Binh Chanh Commune Hung Long Market – Doan Nguyen Tuan Street, Hung Long Commune | Clothes, Groceries, Fruits, Arts, and Crafts |
| Shopping Malls | Centre Mall – C6/27 Pham Hung Street, Binh Hung Commune | Clothes, Groceries, Fruits, and Cosmetics |
Nightlife in Binh Chanh District
Again, it might not be the place where you turn to for wild parties or crowded bars and clubs, but the bountiful businesses, including street eat carts, open-air restaurants, and cafes that stay up late to serve customers, can always give you a lovely peaceful night on the outskirts of Ho Chi Minh City.
Check out more fun things to do in Ho Chi Minh City:
Klook.comSummary on Binh Chanh District in Ho Chi Minh City
A district that embraces great history and culture, Binh Chanh is an important piece in the puzzle of Ho Chi Minh City. Go to Binh Chanh District if you fancy a joyful fishing experience and to find out how life is on the edge of Ho Chi Minh City.
Find accommodations around the Binh Chanh District area: