“Where exactly is the heart of Bến Lức?” I once overheard a traveler ask. Bến Lức is a town steeped in history. It serves as the district capital of Bến Lức District in Long An Province, Vietnam. We are standing in this significant town now.
Bến Lức sits in the southern part of its district. The town is bordered to the east by Long Hiệp commune. To the west, it meets Nhựt Chánh and Thạnh Đức communes across the Vàm Cỏ Đông River. To the south lies Cần Đước district. To the north are An Thạnh and Thanh Phú communes.
In 2019, Bến Lức covered an area of 8.71 square kilometers. Its population was 26,972 people. The population density reached 3,097 people per square kilometer.
Administratively, Bến Lức is divided into 10 neighborhoods numbered 1 to 10. Under French rule, the area now known as Bến Lức belonged to Long Phú village. It was part of Long Hưng Hạ tổng in Trung Quận. Trung Quận was also known as Gò Đen district, Chợ Lớn province.
After 1956, villages were called communes. In 1957, the Republic of Vietnam dissolved Chợ Lớn province. Most of old Gò Đen district was merged into Gia Định province. Long Hưng Hạ tổng was incorporated into the newly established Bến Lức district. This district was part of Long An province. Long Phú commune then belonged to Bến Lức district.
After 1975, Long Phú was a commune within Bến Lức district. On March 11, 1977, Bến Lức district merged with Thủ Thừa district. Together, they formed Bến Thủ district. Long Phú commune was then part of Bến Thủ district.
However, on March 24, 1979, the government issued Decision 128-CP. This decision established Bến Lức town. It was formed by separating Vàm, Chợ, xóm Cống, and Thuận Đạo hamlets from Long Phú commune. Thanh Phú commune was also created. It merged part of Tân Thanh commune with the remaining area of Long Phú.
On January 14, 1983, Bến Lức district was re-established. Bến Lức town became the district capital. On March 29, 2010, the Ministry of Construction recognized Bến Lức as a grade IV đô thị. On July 18, 2019, Long An province renamed Voi Lá neighborhood as neighborhood 10.
Bến Lức is more than just a geographical location. It is a place of constant change. The town strives to meet urban standards. It balances economic development with cultural preservation. Bến Lức is a testament to Vietnam’s dynamic growth. It is achieving this whilst maintaining its unique identity.