Hải Dương

Hải Dương
Name	Hải Dương
Native name	Tỉnh Hải Dương
Settlement type	Province
Coordinates	20, 56, N, 106...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Vietnam
Subdivision type1	Region
Subdivision name1	Red River Delta
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Hải Dương City
Leader title	Chairman of the People's Committee
Leader name	Triệu Thế Hùng
Leader title1	Secretary of the Party Committee
Leader name1	Phạm Xuân Thăng
Area total km2	1668.2
Population total	1,936,800
Population as of	2022
Population density km2	auto
Demographics type1	Demographics
Demographics1 title1	Ethnic groups
Demographics1 info1	Kinh, Hoa, Mường
Timezone	Indochina Time
Utc offset	+7
Postal code type	Postal code
Postal code	17xxx
Area code	220
Iso code	VN-61
Website	haiduong.gov.vn

Hải Dương is a prominent province in the northern region of Vietnam, situated within the fertile expanse of the Red River Delta. It serves as a vital industrial and agricultural hub, strategically positioned along key transportation corridors connecting the capital Hanoi to the major port city of Haiphong. The province is renowned for its rich historical heritage, vibrant cultural traditions, and significant economic contributions to the nation.

Geography

Hải Dương is characterized by a relatively flat topography, typical of the Red River Delta, with a dense network of rivers and canals including the Thái Bình River and the Kinh Thầy River. It borders several important provinces: Bắc Giang and Bắc Ninh to the north, Hưng Yên to the west, Thái Bình to the south, and Haiphong to the east. The climate is a tropical monsoon type, featuring a distinct hot, humid summer and a cool, dry winter, which is highly conducive to intensive agriculture. Key natural features include the Đông Triều limestone hills in the northeastern part of the province, which contrast with the alluvial plains that dominate the landscape.

History

The area of present-day Hải Dương has been inhabited since ancient times, with archaeological evidence linking it to the Đông Sơn culture. During the feudal eras of Đại Việt, it was a significant cultural and administrative center, known historically as the **Hồng Châu** region. The province was the birthplace of renowned scholar and poet Nguyễn Trãi, a key figure in the resistance against the Ming dynasty during the Lam Sơn uprising. In the 19th century, under the Nguyễn dynasty, the province was formally established. During the French Indochina period, it developed early industrial infrastructure. The province was also a site of strategic importance during the Vietnam War, with areas like Đông Triều being part of the revolutionary base zone.

Economy

Hải Dương possesses a dynamic and diversified economy, strongly integrated into the northern key economic region. It hosts numerous industrial zones and clusters, such as the Nomura Haiphong Industrial Zone and the Đại An Industrial Park, attracting major foreign investment from corporations like Pegatron, Bridgestone, and Canon. Agriculture remains a cornerstone, with the province being a national leader in the production of high-value crops like lychee from **Thanh Hà** district, longan, and high-quality rice. The handicraft sector is also notable, with traditional villages producing **green bean cakes**, ceramics from **Chu Đậu**, and wood furniture. The service and trade sectors are growing rapidly, supported by its location on the corridor of National Route 5 and the Hanoi–Haiphong Expressway.

Demographics

As of 2022, Hải Dương has an estimated population of over 1.9 million people, making it one of the more densely populated provinces in the region. The vast majority of residents are Kinh (Viet), with small communities of Hoa (Chinese) and Mường ethnic groups. The population is relatively young, with a significant portion engaged in industrial and agricultural labor. The primary population centers are the capital Hải Dương City and other district-level towns such as Chí Linh, Kinh Môn, and Nam Sách. Urbanization is progressing steadily, driven by industrial development and rural-to-urban migration.

Culture

Hải Dương is celebrated for its deep-rooted cultural and historical traditions. It is home to hundreds of historical relics, including the Côn Sơn - Kiếp Bạc complex, a national special relic site associated with Nguyễn Trãi and the revered military commander Trần Hưng Đạo. The province hosts numerous vibrant festivals, most notably the **Côn Sơn - Kiếp Bạc Festival** and the **Thanh Hà Lychee Festival**. Traditional *quan họ* folk singing, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible Cultural Heritage, is passionately preserved and performed here. The province also takes pride in its culinary specialties, including **Hải Dương green bean cake**, **giai cake**, and **Chí Linh chestnut**.

Administration

Hải Dương is administratively subdivided into 12 district-level units: the provincial city of Hải Dương City and the towns of Chí Linh and Kinh Môn, along with 9 rural districts: Bình Giang, Cẩm Giàng, Gia Lộc, Kim Thành, Nam Sách, Ninh Giang, Thanh Hà, Thanh Miện, and Tứ Kỳ. The highest political authority is the Hải Dương Provincial People's Committee, led by Chairman **Triệu Thế Hùng**, under the leadership of the Communist Party of Vietnam's provincial committee, headed by Secretary **Phạm Xuân Thăng**. The province is part of the Red River Delta socio-economic region and is represented in the National Assembly of Vietnam by a delegation of elected deputies.

Category:Provinces of Vietnam Category:Red River Delta