This paper explores the identity of Bình Dương Province through its place names, highlighting how these names reflect the region's historical, cultural, and economic transformation. Bình Dương, once a primarily agricultural province, has experienced rapid industrialization and urbanization; and how the evolution of place names mirrors these shifts, encapsulating themes of resilience, pride, and modernity in the province’s identity. Applying the Toponymic Analysis method to analyze the etymology, origin, and meaning of 3,462 toponymic words consisting of 4,155 subtypes of place names discovered in 91 communes and wards of Binh Duong province, the findings reveal that place names in Bình Dương not only serve as geographical markers but also function as symbols of Binh Duong identity. The place names are often closely tied to the region’s geography; reflect the rich cultural mix of its inhabitants; carry traces of colonial influence; have presented political and economic changes; serve to unify its population, invoking themes of strength, resilience, and local pride, equality. This research implies that toponymy is a powerful tool for understanding social and cultural identity of a place.
Publication Information
Publisher
Thu Dau Mot University, Viet Nam
Honorary Editor-in-Chief and Chairman of the Editorial Board
Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Van Hiep
Deputy Editor-in-Chief
PhD. Trần Hạnh Minh Phương Thu Dau Mot University
Editorial Board
Prof. Tran Van Doan Fujen University, Taiwan
Prof. Zafar Uddin Ahmed Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City
Prof.Dr. Phillip G.Cerny The University of Manchester, United Kingdom
Prof. Ngo Van Le University of Social Sciences and Humanities (VNU-HCM)
Prof. Bui The Cuong Southern Institute of Social Sciences
Prof. Le Quang Tri Can Tho University
Assoc. Prof. Nguyen Van Duc Animal Husbandry Association of Vietnam
Assoc. Prof. Ted Yuchung Liu National Pingtung University, Taiwan
PhD. Anita Doraisami Economics Monash University, Australia
Prof. Dr. Andrew Seddon Asia Pacific University of Technology & innovation (APU)
Assoc. Prof. Le Tuan Anh Thu Dau Mot University
Prof. Abtar Darshan Singh Asia Pacific University, Malaysia
Prof.Dr. Ron W.Edwards The University of Melbourne, Australia
Assoc. Prof. Hoang Xuan Nien Thu Dau Mot University
PhD. Nguyen Duc Nghia Vietnam National University Ho Chi Minh City
PhD. Bao Dat Monash University (Australia)
PhD. Raqib Chowdhury Monash University (Australia)
PhD. Nguyen Hoang Tuan Thu Dau Mot University
PhD. Nguyen Thi Lien Thuong Thu Dau Mot University