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Vietnam Elevates Bac Ninh City to Central-Governed Status, Aiming for Cultural and Tech Hub
Bac Ninh Province in northern Vietnam has been elevated to a central-governed city, aiming to become a green and smart urban center that blends traditional Kinh Bac culture with advanced technology industries like semiconductors.
On September 20, Bac Ninh Province in northern Vietnam officially became Bac Ninh City, a centrally-governed municipality. This marks the ninth such city in Vietnam. The new city, encompassing an area of approximately 4,700 square kilometers and a population of nearly 4 million, is envisioned as a green, smart, and modern urban center. A key strategic direction is to leverage the rich cultural heritage of the Kinh Bac region as a foundation, while driving growth through science, technology, and innovation. Bac Ninh City aims to become a leading hub in high-tech industries, particularly in electronics, semiconductors, microchip manufacturing, and artificial intelligence (AI), both domestically and regionally. This aligns with Vietnam's broader strategy to enhance its position in global manufacturing supply chains, improve the technological capabilities of its domestic enterprises, and boost their international competitiveness. Speaking at the ceremony, General Secretary and President To Lam highlighted the profound historical and cultural depth of the Bac Ninh region, emphasizing its tradition of valuing education and its rich cultural heritage, including the UNESCO-recognized "Quan Ho" folk singing. He also stressed the importance of establishing a unique development model with a long-term vision, achieving a balance between industry, services, ecology, and quality of life, and enhancing the technological absorption and value chain positioning of domestic firms. Furthermore, the development includes improving regional connectivity infrastructure and preparing for future integration with the Gia Binh Airport. Particular emphasis is placed on nurturing high-quality human resources and utilizing cultural heritage as a resource for modern industries, tourism, and creative sectors. A strong message was conveyed that sacrificing citizens' health, the environment, and the future of coming generations for short-term growth is unacceptable. Bac Ninh City is expected to foster globally competitive Vietnamese enterprises while retaining its "soul" as a city rich in Kinh Bac culture, thereby contributing to regional and national development. Source: VnExpress
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VnExpress