Michelin Rubber Plantation
| Company type | Subsidiary |
|---|---|
| Industry | Rubber plantation |
| Founded | 1925 |
| Founder | Michelin |
| Headquarters | Dầu Tiếng District, Bình Dương Province , Vietnam |
Area served | Vietnam |
| Products | Rubber |
| Parent | Michelin |
The Michelin Rubber Plantation was a rubber estate situated in Vietnam, near the Dầu Tiếng District of Bình Dương Province, approximately 72 km northwest of Saigon. Founded by the Michelin company in 1925, it spanned , making it the largest rubber estate in the country. Prior to this, Michelin had established the Dau Tieng Rubber Company in 1917.
Positioned strategically between the Cambodian border and Saigon, this plantation became a crucial stronghold for the Viet Cong (VC) and later the People's Army of Vietnam (PAVN). It also represented an important financial asset for the South Vietnamese government. Reports indicate that Michelin compensated the VC to ensure uninterrupted operations throughout the conflict. Additionally, US military forces reimbursed Michelin for damages inflicted on rubber trees during combat activities.
Operations against PAVN and VC units were regularly conducted by US and Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) forces within the plantation boundaries. A significant incident occurred on 27 November 1965, when the ARVN 7th Regiment was overwhelmed by the VC 272nd Regiment, suffering substantial casualties including seven American advisors. Between February 1966 and March 1969, numerous US Army campaigns—such as Operation Mastiff, Operation Junction City, Operation Diamond Head, and Operation Atlas Wedge—were launched involving infantry divisions, armored cavalry, airborne brigades, and ARVN troops targeting enemy positions in and around the plantation.
After Saigon fell in 1975, the communist regime took control of both the plantation and its associated manufacturing facility through nationalization.
In 2010, a village was reconstructed within part of the plantation area in Dinh Hiep Commune, Dau Tieng District, to honor its historical importance.