An Giang province

An Giang province
Name	An Giang
Settlement type	Province
Coordinates	10, 30, N, 105...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Vietnam
Subdivision type1	Region
Subdivision name1	Mekong Delta
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Long Xuyên
Leader title	People's Council Chairman
Leader name	Lê Văn Nưng
Leader title1	People's Committee Chairman
Leader name1	Nguyễn Thanh Bình
Area total km2	3536.8
Population total	1,904,532
Population as of	2021
Population density km2	auto
Demographics type1	Demographics
Demographics1 title1	Ethnic groups
Demographics1 info1	Kinh, Khmer, Hoa, Cham
Timezone	ICT
Area code	296
Iso code	VN-44
Website	www.angiang.gov.vn

An Giang province. Located in the heart of the Mekong Delta, it is one of Vietnam's key agricultural regions and a cultural crossroads. The province is bordered by Cambodia to the northwest and the Vietnamese provinces of Đồng Tháp and Cần Thơ. Known for its fertile alluvial plains, intricate canal systems, and significant religious sites, An Giang plays a vital role in the nation's rice production and spiritual life.

Geography

An Giang's terrain is predominantly flat, shaped by the Bassac River and the Mekong River, which branch into a dense network of canals. Key natural features include the Seven Mountains range, with Sam Mountain being the most famous, and the expansive Plain of Reeds wetlands that extend into neighboring provinces. The province shares a long international border with Cambodia's Kandal province and Takeo province, with major border gates at Tịnh Biên and An Phú. Its climate is characterized by a distinct monsoon season, with flooding from the Mekong's annual inundation being a defining hydrological event.

History

The area was historically part of the Funan and later Chenla kingdoms, with the Khmer presence remaining strong. It was incorporated into Nguyễn territory in the 18th century under the efforts of Mạc Cửu and his son Mạc Thiên Tứ. During the 19th century, it became a center for the development of indigenous Vietnamese religious sects, notably the Hòa Hảo Buddhism founded by Huỳnh Phú Sổ and the Cao Đài religion. The province was a critical arena during the First Indochina War and the Vietnam War, witnessing pivotal events like the Battle of Tri Phap and operations along the Sihanouk Trail. Following the Fall of Saigon in 1975, it was consolidated into the unified Socialist Republic of Vietnam.

Administrative divisions

An Giang is subdivided into two municipalities and nine districts. The provincial capital is Long Xuyên, a major urban and economic hub on the Bassac River. The other municipality is Châu Đốc, a historic border city and important center for tourism and trade with Cambodia. The districts include An Phú, Châu Phú, Châu Thành, Chợ Mới, Phú Tân, Tân Châu, Thoại Sơn, Tịnh Biên, and Tri Tôn. Each unit manages a network of townships, communes, and villages.

Economy

The economy is primarily agricultural, with An Giang being a national leader in rice production, alongside significant outputs of freshwater fish, especially basa catfish, and fruit crops. Major industrial activities are concentrated in Long Xuyên and include rice milling, food processing, and textile manufacturing. The province is a key trade conduit with Cambodia through border gates like Tịnh Biên, facilitating cross-border commerce. Tourism is a growing sector, focused on the pilgrimage sites of Sam Mountain and Châu Đốc, the floating markets of Long Xuyên, and the unique ecosystem of the Trà Sư cajuput forest.

Demographics

With a population exceeding 1.9 million, An Giang is one of the most densely populated provinces in the Mekong Delta. The majority are Kinh Vietnamese, with substantial ethnic minority communities. These include the Khmer, who are concentrated in districts like Tri Tôn and Tịnh Biên, the Hoa (ethnic Chinese), and the Cham, who practice Islam. This diversity is reflected in the variety of languages, religious practices, and cultural festivals observed throughout the province.

Culture

An Giang is renowned as a cradle of Vietnamese folk religions and a cultural mosaic. The province is the birthplace of Hòa Hảo Buddhism, with its holy see located in Phú Mỹ, and has many important Cao Đài temples. Major festivals include the Vía Bà Chúa Xứ festival at the Sam Mountain temple complex, which attracts millions of pilgrims annually, and the Khmer New Year celebrations in Khmer communities. Traditional crafts such as silk weaving in Tân Châu and the cultivation of Tân Châu mangosteen are also notable cultural assets. The culinary culture features regional specialties like *bún cá* Long Xuyên and Khmer-influenced dishes.

Category:Provinces of Vietnam Category:Mekong Delta