In the past, some researchers have claimed that the name Thủ Dầu Một originates from Khmer language. However, other authors claim that the name Thủ Dầu Một is a compound of Vietnamese language roots, combining thủ, to "keep" or "guard", dầu referring to oil-producing trees of the genus Dipterocarpus, and the number một or "one". The toponymDầu Một existed prior, in reference to large number of Dipterocarpus trees lining the port where there was a market in this area. In the 1940s, many of these were cut down; thus, the place name Thủ Dầu Một can be understood as "the only large oil tree growing, located next to the fort". Other toponyms in the area do follow similar tree + numeral structures, such as Xoài Tư (literally "Mango" + "Four") and Quéo Ba ("Mangifera reba" + "Three").[4]
According to a third oral tradition, in a fort (thủ) in Bình An, there was a large oil tree on the hill. Thus the original name would have been Thủ Dầu Miệt, which literally means "Oil-Tree Fort Region"; later, miệt underwent a sound change to một.[4]
Economy
Thủ Dầu Một has seen a rapid expansion and economic development since 1997, as the province has become an important industrial hub of the region. In January 2007, the district-level town then was officially recognized as a third-class town.[5] It became a city in July 2012.[6] There is a 4,200-ha urban-tech park under development. Thủ Dầu Một will be a modern city within the Hồ Chí Minh City Metropolitan Area (including Thủ Dầu Một, Nhơn Trạch, Tân An, Biên Hòa and parts of Đồng Nai and Bình Dương provinces).
It became a first-class city on 6 December 2017.[7]
Thủ Dầu Một is home to World Trade Center Binh Duong New City, a destination for international trade activities in the Southern Key Economic Region of Vietnam. This development is a milestone for the city, as it attracts domestic and international visitors to the city and significantly boosts business in the region.
