North of Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, which has the country's highest concentration of industrial zones, there is a risk of heavy metals (HMs) contamination in soil from industrial emissions. Certain wards, including Tan Hiep, Tan Khanh, and Tan Uyen, have industrial zones and manufacturing companies intermingled with urban areas. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct research in this region to assess the accumulation levels, distribution, and sources of HMs emissions. This study involved calculating geochemical indices (EF, Igeo, and PLI), mapping HMs distributions, identifying sources using statistical methods, and finally assessing ecological risk. The results showed that lead (Pb), zinc (Zn), and cadmium (Cd) originate from industrial activities. Lead is distributed in clusters, Zn exhibits locally high contents at specific points, and Cd is dispersed and may also be linked to agricultural activities. However, average content results indicate that levels have not exceeded the Vietnamese national technical regulation on soil quality (QCVN 03:2023/BTNMT) or the upper continental crust (UCC) background. The results suggest that HMs are accumulating locally, with some areas exceeding the UCC (Zn = 207.24 mg/kg, Pb = 19.91 mg/kg, and Cd = 0.18 mg/kg), though no widespread contamination has been observed. The potential ecological risk is also low (PERI = 22.48). However, attention should be paid to the variability in Cd contents, as, although the average content is relatively low, Cd accounts for 80% of the total risk. These results help local authorities prioritize monitoring of Pb, Zn, and Cd at hotspots, preventing the spread of contamination.