Phú Thọ province

Phú Thọ province
Name	Phú Thọ province
Settlement type	Province
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Vietnam
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Việt Trì
Area total km2	3534.6
Population total	1,463,726
Population as of	2021
Population density km2	auto
Demographics type1	Demographics
Demographics1 title1	Ethnic groups
Demographics1 info1	Kinh, Mường, Dao, Sán Dìu
Leader title	Chairman
Leader name	Bùi Văn Quang
Leader title1	Secretary
Leader name1	Bùi Minh Châu
Timezone	ICT
Website	www.phutho.gov.vn

Phú Thọ province is a landlocked province in the Northern Midlands and Mountainous region of Vietnam. It is renowned as the ancestral land of the Vietnamese people, home to the sacred Hùng Temple complex and the legendary Hồng Bàng dynasty. The province's capital is the industrial city of Việt Trì, situated at the confluence of the Red River and the Lô River.

Geography

Phú Thọ province is bordered by Tuyên Quang province and Yên Bái province to the north, Sơn La province to the west, Vĩnh Phúc province and Hanoi to the east, and Hòa Bình province to the south. The terrain is predominantly midland hills, with significant river systems including the Red River, the Lô River, and the Đà River. Key natural features include Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain, the site of Hùng Temple, and the expansive Xuân Sơn National Park, which harbors rich biodiversity. The climate is characterized by a tropical monsoon pattern, with distinct hot, rainy seasons and cool, dry winters.

History

The area is considered the cradle of Vietnamese civilization, associated with the legendary Hùng Kings who founded Văn Lang, considered the first Vietnamese state during the Hồng Bàng dynasty. Archaeological sites like Làng Cả and Đông Lâm attest to ancient Đông Sơn culture settlements. During the French Indochina period, it was part of Phú Thọ Territory. The province was a significant base for the Việt Minh during the First Indochina War and played a role in the Battle of Điện Biên Phủ as a logistical corridor. Following the Geneva Accords, it was established within the Democratic Republic of Vietnam.

Administrative divisions

Phú Thọ province is subdivided into 13 district-level units, including one city and 12 rural districts. The provincial capital and only city is Việt Trì, a major industrial center. The 12 districts are Cẩm Khê, Đoan Hùng, Hạ Hòa, Lâm Thao, Phù Ninh, Tam Nông, Tân Sơn, Thanh Ba, Thanh Sơn, Thanh Thủy, Yên Lập, and Hùng Sơn. These are further divided into towns, communes, and wards.

Economy

The economy has a strong industrial base centered in Việt Trì, home to major facilities like the Việt Trì Phosphorus Chemical Plant and the Hữu Nghị Việt Nam - Hungary Industrial Park. Agriculture remains vital, with key products including tea from Tân Sơn district, citrus fruits, and rice. Forestry is active in areas like Xuân Sơn National Park. The province is a national leader in the cultivation of medicinal plants such as yellow vine and Indian mulberry. Trade and services are growing, particularly linked to the Hùng Kings' Festival and cultural tourism.

Culture

Phú Thọ is the epicenter of the worship of the Hùng Kings, recognized by UNESCO as an Intangible cultural heritage. The annual Hùng Kings' Festival at Hùng Temple is a major national event. The province is a repository of Xoan singing, a UNESCO-listed intangible heritage, performed traditionally in temples like Phù Đức Temple and Kim Đái Temple. Other significant cultural elements include the ghost festival of Đào Xá village, Mường ethnic culture in Thanh Sơn district, and traditional crafts like Hùng Lô village pottery.

Tourism

Tourism is deeply cultural and ecological. The foremost destination is the Hùng Temple historical complex on Nghĩa Lĩnh Mountain. Nature tourism thrives at Xuân Sơn National Park, known for its caves, waterfalls, and diverse flora and fauna. The Âu Cơ Temple commemorates the legendary mother of the Vietnamese people. Other attractions include the Làng Cả archaeological site, the scenic Thác Vạn Mơ waterfall, the historic Đào Xá Communal House, and the mineral hot springs of Thanh Thủy district. The province is a key stop on heritage routes connecting to Hanoi, Yên Bái province, and Sơn La province.

Category:Provinces of Vietnam