Introduction
Binh Duong is located in the Southeast region of Vietnam, north of Ho Chi Minh City. It was a part of Song Be province until 1997 when the province was divided into two parts: Binh Duong and Binh Phuoc. In 2005, the Vietnamese government built a new city in the province called Binh Duong New City which became a modern hub for politics, administration, and manufacturing. The province is culturally diverse, with up to 15 ethnic groups living in its districts. There are some tourist attractions such as Lac Canh Dai Nam Van Hien and Craft Villages. However, the province is not known for its tourism and people usually come to Binh Duong to work rather than to travel.
Home to significant manufacturing industries and agriculture, the province is one of the fastest growing economies in the country. In 2018, it was also home to 3,478 foreign-invested projects. International brands such as Adidas, Nike, H&M, and McDonald’s have set up their factories to manufacture their goods. It is the first locality of Vietnam to become a member of the world’s Intelligent Community Forum (ICF), which, of course, opens up more job opportunities in Binh Duong for foreigners. Today, the province houses thousands of foreign specialists. Expats can find a job in the manufacturing and industrial zone or English teaching.
Popular Areas in Binh Duong
The most popular area to live in is in the capital city of Thu Dau Mot. Mainly because of its proximity to Ho Chi Minh City and the area has numerous housing options such as apartments, villas, and houses. Many foreigners who work in Binh Duong live close to the Becamex Tower. Tan Uyen and Ben Cat are also popular for those who want to live near their workplace within the industrial zone. There are not many Western amenities around these areas but the living cost is more affordable than in the big cities.
You can find many restaurants in the province, from delicious Vietnamese food to international dishes such as pizza, sushi, Indian, and Chinese food. One of the more popular restaurants for foreigners is Mimi’s Restaurant and Bar, which serves Indian food. It is conveniently located close to the Becamex Hotel. Another good restaurant is Huong Viet as the restaurant serves local and English cuisine and is favored by many expats because they serve good food at a very reasonable price. Japanese expats usually eat at Annz Sushi, which is the best place to eat sushi in Binh Duong.
Since Vietnam is known for its amazing coffee, the province has a lot of cafes where people can work or hang out in. Some of the popular cafes are Wind & Water Café, KOI Café, Z Café Binh Duong, and L3 Coffee. Many people also choose to hang out in malls and the biggest mall in the province is the AEON Mall which houses more than 100 stores. Although beer can be found practically anywhere, there is not many nightlife or bars in Binh Duong. One of the most favorite bars is JD’s Bar and Grill. It is also one of a few places that actually has a full bar and a good selection of drinks.
Weather and Climate in Binh Duong
Binh Duong has a tropical monsoon climate with two seasons, dry and wet seasons. The climate is hot, rainy, and humid. The average annual temperature is around 26 – 27 °C, with the highest at 39 °C and the lowest at 16 °C. The rainy seasons starts in May and ends in late October. The early months of the rainy season usually experience short but heavy rain showers, while July to September has continuous rain that can last for 1 to 2 days and nights. The dry season runs from November to April.
Getting Around in Binh Duong
Binh Duong can be reached by air via Tan Son Nhat International Airport in Ho Chi Minh City. It is the busiest airport in the city that serves both domestic and international flights. The airport connects Ho Chi Minh and the surrounding areas including Binh Duong to other major cities in Vietnam as well as major cities in Asia, Europe, and Australia. Budget airlines such as VietJet Air and Jetstar Pacific Airlines is the most affordable way to travel around the country. There is numerous arrival transfer from the airport to Binh Duong, including taxis, vans, and executive cars. The National Highway No. 13 links Binh Duong with other provinces.
Taxis in Binh Duong are the most convenient way to get around. However, it is quite hard to find a taxi around the province except for taxi stations and big supermarkets. The easiest way to hail a taxi is to order them by phone. If you need to get around quicker, opt for motorbike taxis. Note that you should always negotiate the price before riding a motorbike taxi. There are also public buses which usually operate from 05.00am to 05.00pm and it might take a while to figure out the routes and the system, but buses are very affordable.
Work Visas in Binh Duong
To work in Vietnam, you need a visa and a work permit. The Vietnam Immigration issues three kinds of visa: tourist visa, business visa, and diplomatic and official visa. Citizens of 80 countries can apply for e-Visa. Once you obtain a visa, you will need to have a work permit and a residential card. It is advisable to always check the procedures at the nearest Vietnamese Embassy since the legislation of the work permit and residential card can change regularly. Note that Vietnam only allows companies to recruit foreign workers if there are no other locals who meet the requirements for the job. It is best to already arrange a job before coming to the country.
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