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Bắc Ninh province
Province of Vietnam From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
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Bắc Ninh is a province of Vietnam, located in the Red River Delta region in the northern part of the country. It lies to the east of the capital, Hanoi, and shares borders with Hải Phòng city, Hưng Yên province, Lạng Sơn province, and Thái Nguyên province. The province in its current form was created on 1 July 2025, following the merger of the former Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang provinces, under Resolution No. 60-NQ/TW of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of Vietnam. Its administrative capital is located in Bắc Giang Ward.
The newly merged Bắc Ninh province covers a total area of 4,718.6 km² (1,822 sq mi) [7]and has a population of approximately 3.62 million people[8] as of 2025. Administratively, it consists of 99 commune-level units,[9] including 66 communes and 33 wards.
Economically, Bắc Ninh has established itself as one of Vietnam’s most dynamic industrial centers. In 2024, its Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) reached about 440 trillion Vietnamese đồng (equivalent to more than 17 billion USD), ranking fifth nationwide in economic scale,[10] behind Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Đồng Nai. The province has set a target for per capita GRDP to reach 5,500–5,700 USD per year following the merger, reinforcing its role as a hub for manufacturing and foreign investment.[11]
Culturally, the province is nationally renowned for Quan họ folk songs, a traditional art form that was inscribed on UNESCO’s Representative List of the Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity in 2009. [12]This enduring cultural heritage, combined with rapid industrial growth, gives Bắc Ninh a distinctive character where tradition and modernity coexist.
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History
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During the Lý and Trần dynasties, it belonged to lộ Bắc Giang; it belonged to thừa tuyên Kinh Bắc[note 1] under the Lê dynasty and then changed into trấn Kinh Bắc and Bắc Ninh. Under Emperor Minh Mạng of the Nguyễn dynasty, it was renamed Bắc Ninh province in 1831.
During the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, Bắc Ninh province and the neighboring Bắc Giang province were united as Hà Bắc province on 27 October 1962.
However, under the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, on 6 November 1996 at the 10th Session of the 9th National Congress, Hà Bắc province was separated into two provinces, Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang.[13]
On 1 July 2025, the former provinces of Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang were merged to form the new Bắc Ninh province, with its administrative capital at Bắc Giang Ward.[14]
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Geography
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Topography
The terrain of Bắc Ninh province stretches from the Red River Delta plains in the south to the midland hills in the north, serving as a transitional zone between the northern mountains and the delta region. Although much of the province’s natural area consists of hills and low mountains, the terrain is generally continuous and not heavily fragmented. The northern and southeastern parts of the province feature higher mountainous areas ranging from 300 to 900 meters above sea level. Low hills and midland plains lie between two arc-shaped mountain ranges: the Đông Triều Arc in the southeast, which includes the Yên Tử mountains with an average elevation of 300–900 meters and a peak at 1,068 meters, and the Bắc Sơn Arc in the northwest. In the northeast, near Quảng Ninh, lies the Khe Rỗ primeval forest, covering 7,153 hectares and hosting diverse flora and fauna, including 236 tree species, 255 medicinal plants, 37 mammals, 73 bird species, and 18 reptile species.[15]
Bắc Ninh has a dense river network, with an average density of 1–1.2 km/km². The province is crossed by five major rivers: the Đuống, Cầu, Thái Bình, Thương, and Lục Nam, which are part of the Lục Đầu Giang river system. The Đuống River, 42 km long within Bắc Ninh, has an average annual flow of 31.6 billion m³, with high sediment content. The Cầu River flows 70 km through the province, with an annual discharge of about 5 billion m³ and seasonal variations in water level ranging from 0.5 to 8 meters. The Thái Bình River, 17 km within the province, is prone to silting due to soil erosion from upstream hills. The Thương River flows in two streams with differing water clarity, while the Lục Nam River, running through limestone areas, remains clear year-round. Additional rivers, streams, and canals include Ngũ Huyện Khê, Ngụ, Dâu, Đông Côi, Bùi, Tào Khê, Đồng Khởi, and Đại Quảng Bình.
The province also contains several lakes and reservoirs, such as Cấm Sơn Lake and Khuôn Thần Lake. Cấm Sơn, located near Lạng Sơn, is 30 km long, 7 km wide at its broadest point, and covers 2,600 hectares (up to 3,000 hectares in the rainy season). Khuôn Thần Lake spans 240 hectares and includes five small forested islands. These water systems provide ample resources for irrigation, flood control, urban water supply, and local livelihoods. Overall, Bắc Ninh’s surface water volume is estimated at 177.5 billion m³, with groundwater reserves averaging 400,000 m³ per day, at depths of 3–5 meters and a thickness of around 40 meters, offering good-quality water suitable for both domestic and industrial use.
Natural resources
Following the merger of Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang provinces on 1 July 2025, the new Bắc Ninh province covers a total natural land area of 4,718.6 km². Land use is distributed approximately as 54% agricultural land, 0.7% forestry land, 31% specialized and residential land, and 14.3% unused land.
The province has limited but diverse mineral resources, supporting construction, ceramics, and industrial development. These include clay, sandstone, peat, coal, iron ore, copper, kaolin, gravel, and other construction materials, with major reserves of coal, kaolin, and clay, including refractory clay. Together, the combined land and mineral resources provide a solid foundation for agriculture, industrial development, and construction, while ongoing assessments continue to refine estimates and sustainable utilization.
Climate
Bắc Ninh features a warm humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cwa) with plentiful precipitation. Bắc Ninh is located in a tropical monsoon region. The annual average temperature is 24 °C. The highest is 30 °C in July; the lowest is 6 °C in January. The province experiences the typical climate of northern Vietnam, where summers are hot and humid, and winters are, by national standards, relatively cold and dry. Summers, lasting from May to September, are hot and humid, receiving the majority of the annual 1,680 millimetres (66.1 in) of rainfall. The winters, lasting from November to March, are relatively mild, dry (in the first half) or humid (in the second half), while spring (April) can bring light rains. Autumn (October) is the best time of the year in terms of weather. The average annual sunshine is 1,530-1,776 hours, while the relative humidity is 79%.
Administration
Following the implementation of Resolution No. 1658/NQ-UBTVQH15 issued by the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on 16 June 2025, the newly merged Bắc Ninh Province now consists of 99 commune-level administrative units, including 66 communes and 33 wards.[17]
The re-arrangement was carried out under the Government’s Scheme No. 397/ĐA-CP dated 9 May 2025, which set out criteria such as natural area, population scale, and the concentration of residential communities to improve administrative efficiency.
The new commune-level units were formed mostly through mergers, resulting in 65 newly established communes and 33 newly established wards. Only Tuấn Đạo Commune remained unchanged and was not subject to re-arrangement.[18]
Demography
As of 2024, Bắc Ninh province had a population of 3,494,144, representing about 3.46% of Vietnam’s total population. With a natural land area of 4,718.6 km², the population density reached 740 inhabitants per km², one of the highest among Vietnamese provinces.
Between 2011 and 2024, the population increased from 2.65 million to nearly 3.5 million, reflecting steady growth with an exceptional surge in 2019 due to administrative adjustments and migration. The sex ratio has remained balanced, fluctuating between 98 and 101 males per 100 females during this period.
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Transport
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Bắc Ninh Province is currently a dynamic industrial hub and is also developing rapidly in terms of transportation infrastructure. Its transportation system combines existing infrastructure with new projects, aiming to drive socio-economic development and enhance regional connectivity. The province focuses on developing major arterial roads, upgrading urban traffic networks, and implementing modern projects to meet increasing transport demand and attract investment.
As of 2025, key national highways such as National Highway 1A, National Highway 18, National Highway 38, and provincial roads including 277B, 287, and 295 have been upgraded and expanded, facilitating smooth traffic flow between urban centers, industrial zones, and neighboring provinces. The Ring Road 4 – Hanoi Capital Region segment passing through Bắc Ninh is under rapid construction, with a total investment of tens of trillions of VND, and is expected to be completed by 2026. This road will serve as a major artery connecting the northeastern region of the capital, contributing to economic growth and urban expansion.
The DT.277B route, nearly 5 km long and 12 meters wide, connects key areas within the province and surrounding regions, providing favorable conditions for trade, goods transportation, and regional economic development. New expressway projects, such as the Bắc Ninh – Phả Lại expressway, are under study and construction to enhance connections to key economic zones in the northeastern capital region and support freight transport.
The Ring Road 5 – Hanoi Capital Region is a strategic transportation route, approximately 331.5 km long, passing through eight provinces, including a 51.3 km segment in the old Bắc Giang area. It runs parallel to National Highway 37, crosses the Lục Nam River, bypasses urban centers, and intersects with National Highway 1 in nearby areas. This route facilitates efficient regional connectivity, alleviates traffic congestion in central urban areas, and strengthens economic linkages.
In terms of air transport, Gia Binh Airport is planned in Gia Binh Commune, Bắc Ninh Province, about 40 km from Hanoi city center. It is an international airport of category 4E, covering nearly 1,960 hectares—larger than both Nội Bài and Tân Sơn Nhất airports. The Gia Binh Airport project is expected to be completed by early 2026 and aims to reach a capacity of 30 million passengers and 1.6 million tons of cargo per year by 2030, playing a vital role in northern Vietnam’s air transport network.
Regarding rail transport, Bắc Ninh is located on the Hanoi – Đồng Đăng railway, connecting the capital to northern provinces, with branch lines such as Kép – Hạ Long and Kép – Lưu Xá serving both passengers and freight. The railway system helps reduce road traffic congestion and increases regional transport efficiency.
Urban transportation is also being prioritized with modern expressways equipped with Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS) to manage traffic flow effectively, reduce congestion, and minimize accidents. Industrial zones are well-connected to expressways, facilitating goods transport, attracting investment, and promoting local economic development.
The transportation planning of Bắc Ninh Province for the 2021–2030 period, with a vision to 2050, sets a clear direction for developing a modern, integrated transportation network connecting urban areas, industrial zones, and neighboring regions. The province continues to focus on upgrading major arterial roads, expanding expressways, and implementing intelligent transportation systems to meet increasing transport demand and promote sustainable economic growth.[19]
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Economy
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Bắc Ninh Province, following the merger of the former Bắc Ninh and Bắc Giang provinces in 2025, has rapidly solidified its position as one of Vietnam's most dynamic economic regions.
Economic Scale and Ranking
In 2024, the Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) of the newly merged Bắc Ninh reached approximately 440 trillion VND (over 17 billion USD), placing it fifth nationally in terms of economic scale, behind Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi, Hai Phong, and Đồng Nai. The province's GRDP per capita stood at 150.5 million VND (about 6,010 USD), surpassing the national average by 1.3 times.
Industrial Landscape and Major Companies
Bắc Ninh is home to 15 major industrial parks, including Que Vo, Yen Phong, and VSIP Bắc Ninh, which focus on high-tech industries such as electronics, telecommunications, and precision manufacturing. The province has successfully attracted leading international companies such as Samsung, Canon, Foxconn, Goertek, Amkor, and Hitachi Energy, establishing itself as a key player in global production.
Foreign Direct Investment (FDI)
In the first four months of 2025, Bắc Ninh ranked second nationwide in terms of foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction, after Hanoi. During this period, the province attracted approximately 1.91 billion USD in FDI, including 87 newly licensed projects along with a number of capital adjustments from existing investors.[20] By the end of the first eight months of 2025, Bắc Ninh had risen to the top position nationwide, with total FDI inflows reaching around 4.8 billion USD, reflecting strong year-on-year growth in both investment value and project numbers.[21]
Export Performance
In July 2025, Bắc Ninh surpassed Ho Chi Minh City to become Vietnam's top exporter, with an export turnover of nearly 8.68 billion USD. For the first seven months of the year, the province's export turnover reached approximately 48.62 billion USD, accounting for a significant share of the national total.[22]
Future Prospects and Development Plans
Looking ahead to the period 2025–2030, Bắc Ninh aims to become a leading semiconductor industrial hub in Vietnam. The province plans to attract three to five major technology corporations to invest in manufacturing plants and R&D centers by 2030, while also encouraging existing investors to expand operations within the next five years. Additionally, a $1.6 billion urban development project covering approximately 277 hectares is underway, scheduled for completion by 2030, which will include residential areas, social infrastructure, green spaces, and transport facilities.[23]
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Culture
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Bắc Ninh Province is widely recognized as the heartland of Kinh Bắc culture, one of the most historically and culturally significant regions in northern Vietnam. Kinh Bắc, historically considered the cradle of Vietnamese civilization, has nurtured generations of scholars, artisans, and statesmen, and continues to influence the arts, festivals, and spiritual life of the nation. The province is famously the homeland of eight kings of the Lý Dynasty, whose reigns from the 11th to 13th centuries contributed to the consolidation of the Vietnamese state and the flourishing of Confucian, Buddhist, and indigenous traditions.
The historical and spiritual landscape of Kinh Bắc is extensive and deeply symbolic. The Đô Temple, located in the heart of the former Bắc Ninh area, serves as a central place of worship for the eight Lý kings, drawing pilgrims and tourists alike who seek to honor the legacy of these rulers.[24] Complementing this are Diên Ứng Pagoda, recognized as the first pagoda in Vietnamese history, and Phật Tích Pagoda, which houses the 11th-century stone Amitabha Buddha statue, an enduring symbol of spiritual devotion and artistry. The Literature Temple, dedicated to Confucius and generations of Vietnamese scholars, reflects Kinh Bắc’s historical emphasis on learning and moral education. From the former Bắc Giang area, Vĩnh Nghiêm Pagoda stands out as a repository of cultural heritage, with its collection of ancient Buddhist woodblocks considered among the oldest and most valuable in the country. The Tây Yên Tử spiritual and ecological tourism complex, along with historical sites such as the Xương Giang battlefield and Yên Thế uprising locations, further enrich the cultural depth of the province, connecting history, faith, and natural landscapes.
Kinh Bắc’s festival culture is both extensive and deeply rooted in communal life. Every year, the province hosts hundreds of festivals ranging from small village celebrations to grand regional events, each reflecting centuries-old traditions and local beliefs. The Dâu Pagoda Festival, Lim Festival, Đô Temple Festival, and Bà Chúa Kho Temple Festival are the most prominent, showcasing ritual performances, folk games, and ceremonial offerings. Festivals originating from the former Bắc Giang area, such as those at Tây Yên Tử, the Yên Thế uprising commemorations, and other regional spiritual ceremonies, are fully integrated into the cultural calendar of the unified province. Central to many of these festivals is Quan Họ folk singing, a form of call-and-response folk music that UNESCO recognized as an intangible cultural heritage in 2009. Quan Họ is traditionally performed during spring festivals following Tết, featuring alternating verses sung in harmony by male and female singers from different villages. Its poetic structure, melodic patterns, and social conventions reflect the aesthetic refinement, communal values, and gendered dialogue unique to Kinh Bắc culture, making it not just a musical art form but also a social ritual fostering connection among villages.
Traditional crafts and artisanal production remain a vital component of Kinh Bắc’s cultural identity. Đông Hồ village, one of the most famous craft villages, produces woodblock prints characterized by bold colors, symbolic imagery, and themes of rural life, folklore, and moral tales. These prints are highly sought during Tết celebrations, embodying both artistic skill and cultural memory. Additionally, the Gà Hồ chicken, a rare Vietnamese breed native to the region, symbolizes the five essential qualities of a gentleman—literacy, martial skill, physical strength, humanity, and loyalty. This iconic breed has been celebrated nationally, including as a symbol during the 3rd Asian Indoor Games in 2009, representing Kinh Bắc’s contribution to Vietnam’s national identity and international recognition.
In recent years, New Bắc Ninh has continued to expand and consolidate its cultural heritage. The province now holds multiple UNESCO-recognized intangible cultural heritages: Quan Họ folk singing, Ca Trù ceremonial singing, Hữu Cháp tug-of-war ritual, and the worship of the Mother Goddesses of the Three Realms. Collectively, these traditions showcase the province’s unique blending of music, ritual, spirituality, and social cohesion. Altogether, the unified province maintains nearly 1,600 historical sites, 19 national artifacts, and countless locally recognized monuments, providing an unparalleled repository of Vietnamese culture.
The cultural significance of Kinh Bắc extends beyond festivals and crafts. Its legacy influences literature, philosophy, and the arts, and serves as a model for cultural preservation and community engagement in contemporary Vietnam. Villages throughout the province maintain their ancestral practices, passing knowledge from generation to generation while adapting to modern contexts, ensuring that Kinh Bắc culture remains a living, evolving tradition rather than a static relic of the past.
With its combined heritage from both former provinces, New Bắc Ninh stands today not only as a center of economic growth but also as the cultural heart of northern Vietnam, preserving and promoting the rich Kinh Bắc identity. Its festivals, historic sites, traditional crafts, and spiritual practices continue to attract scholars, tourists, and cultural enthusiasts from across the country and the world, positioning Kinh Bắc as a symbol of Vietnam’s enduring cultural vitality.[25]
Festivals
List of festivals in Bắc Ninh Province:
Notable people
- Kinh Dương Vương
- Cao Lỗ
- Lý Thái Tổ
- Lý Long Tường
- Lý Đạo Thành
- Thích Huyền Quang
- Nguyễn Văn Cừ
- Hoàng Quốc Việt[26][circular reference]
- Hoàng Cầm
- Hồ Xuân Hương
- Lê Quang Đạo
- Lê Văn Thịnh
- Hoàng Anh Tuấn
- Trịnh Văn Vinh
- Phạm Văn Trà
- Trần Đức Thảo
- Hàn Thuyên
- Vũ Miên
- Vũ Trinh
- Vũ Ngọc Phan
- Nguyễn Du[27]
- Nguyễn Gia Thiều
- Kim Lân[28][circular reference]
- Phạm Xuân Yêm[29][circular reference]
- Đàm Thanh Sơn
- Xuân Hinh
- Tự Long[30][circular reference]
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Education
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Primary and secondary education
Bắc Ninh's education system is divided into 5 categories: pre-primary, primary, intermediate, secondary, and higher education.
Kindergarten is for children from 2 to 5 years old to form thinking skills (not all children must learn this level).
Primary school level is also called level I, starting at 6 years old. Level I consists of 5 grades, from grade 1 to grade 5. This is required for all students.
Secondary level education: Level II includes 4 grades, from grade 6 to grade 9. Students must learn various school subjects such as: Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry (grades 8 and 9), Biology, Technology, written language, History, Geography, Education Citizens, Foreign Language, Health and Parenting Music - Visual Arts.
In addition students have some information required such as: education outside the classroom on time, direction of education (grade 9) and use of school. To study the higher-level students participate in the examination enrollment.
Further secondary school: Level III consists of 3 grades, from grade 10 to grade 12. To graduate level III, students must participate in the graduation exam secondary school of education and training. Notable high schools in Bắc Ninh include Bắc Ninh High School for the Gifted, Thuận Thành No 1 High School, among others. Though the former schools are all public, private education is also available in Bắc Ninh.
Students who want to study in schools-public school must attend an examination of birth. The exam is held every year, by the Department of Education and Training of the local lead. At this level, students also study subjects similar to those in middle school. However, students in secondary school also take a number of other activities such as business and vocational.
Higher education
Bắc Ninh has universities and colleges, vocational training skill secondary schools and centres providing investors with labour sources suitable for demand of high technical qualifications of enterprises.
- Bắc Ninh University of Physical Education and Sports (UPES1)
- Kinh Bắc University
- Bắc Hà International University
- Vietnam Technical - Logistics People's Public Security University (T07/T36)
- Academy of Policy and Development
- Đông Á University of Technology
- Political Officer's University School
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International relations
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The leader also expressed his wish to share the province's experience with Angola in investment promotion, contributing to fostering the friendship between the two peoples. They signed a memorandum of understanding on cooperation in forestry exploitation and processing, and the supply of construction workers in oil and gas to the African country.[31]
Cambodia wants to tighten cooperation in many fields with Vietnam, including the northern province of Bắc Ninh, to deepen solidarity and friendship between the two countries. Cambodia will continue receiving Vietnam and Bắc Ninh Province's assistance in corruption prevention, meeting citizens and settlement of complaints and denouncements.
South Korean investment projects in northern Bắc Ninh province have greatly contributed to the development of the province's key industrial sectors.
Bac Ninh province committed to helping Houaphanh province upgrade its infrastructure for agricultural production, mining and processing industries. Bắc Ninh will also help Houaphanh to build a primary school and grant scholarships to students from Houaphanh studying in Vietnam.
The Vietnam – Japan Friendship Organization held a prayer for peace at Bắc Ninh Provincial Museum. A delegation from the ASEAN-Japan Centre visited Bắc Ninh on 24 October 2012 to learn about the investment environment in this northern province.
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Notes and references
Further reading
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