Lái Thiêu

Did you ever hear of a town that transformed from a fruit lover’s paradise to a bustling city hub? Lái Thiêu, a ward in Thuận An city, Bình Dương Province, has done just that. Lái Thiêu, once renowned for its luscious orchards and bustling fruit trade, now stands as a testament to Vietnam’s evolving landscape. Lái Thiêu, located about 20km from Ho Chi Minh City, invites you to explore its rich history. Before 1975, Lái Thiêu was a vibrant destination. Tourists flocked to Ngang Bridge and the Bình Nhâm fruit gardens. Traditional craft villages showcased lacquerware, glass paintings, clogs, crockery, and porcelain. The area encompassed eleven communes, including Tân Thới and Phú Long, which now form the heart of Lái Thiêu ward. The name “Lái Thiêu” itself has a fascinating history. After 1975, the district was renamed Thuận An, a combination of Thuận Giao and An Phú, two areas designated for industrial development. This change also honored the Thuận An Hòa War Zone. The name Lái Thiêu was later revived for the district’s downtown area, the former Tân Thới and Phú Long, preserving a piece of its heritage. Lái Thiêu also boasts a rich fruit-growing heritage. The Lái Thiêu fruit garden, spanning 1,200 hectares and six wards along the Saigon River, was once a crown jewel of the Southeast region. Known for its durian, jackfruit, and especially its prized mangosteen, the orchards drew visitors who enjoyed strolling under fruit-laden canopies and savoring the fresh, sweet flavors. Boat trips on the Saigon River offered scenic views of the lush green gardens reflected on the water. Today, Lái Thiêu is a vibrant ward with nine distinct neighborhoods. It’s home to schools like Nguyen Trai High School, offering a glimpse into its community life. While its identity has shifted from an agricultural center to a modern ward within a growing city, the echoes of Lái Thiêu’s rich past still resonate, making it a unique place to explore and understand the dynamism of Vietnam.