Thanh Hóa Province

Thanh Hóa Province
Name	Thanh Hóa Province
Native name	Tỉnh Thanh Hóa
Settlement type	Province
Coordinates	20, 0, N, 105...
Subdivision type	Country
Subdivision name	Vietnam
Seat type	Capital
Seat	Thanh Hóa
Leader title	Chairman of the People's Committee
Leader name	Đỗ Minh Tuấn
Leader title1	Chairman of the People's Council
Leader name1	Đỗ Trọng Hưng
Area total km2	11132.2
Population total	3,640,128
Population as of	2019
Population density km2	auto
Demographics type1	Demographics
Demographics1 title1	Ethnic groups
Demographics1 info1	Kinh, Mường, Thái, Dao, H'Mông
Timezone	Indochina Time
Area code	237
Iso code	VN-21
Website	thanhhoa.gov.vn

Thanh Hóa Province. Located in the North Central Coast region of Vietnam, it is a province of immense historical significance and substantial economic output. Bordered by Ninh Bình Province to the north, Nghệ An Province to the south, and Houaphanh Province of Laos to the west, its diverse geography ranges from coastal plains to mountainous highlands. The province is often called the "cradle of Vietnamese civilization" due to its pivotal role in the nation's early history and its contributions to modern development.

Geography

The topography is distinctly divided by the Mã River basin, with the Annamite Range forming the western border and a long coastline along the Gulf of Tonkin. Key natural features include the Bến En National Park, the Sầm Sơn beach resort, and the Cửa Lò estuary, while the Hồ Citadel, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, stands as a monumental relic. The climate is characterized by a tropical monsoon pattern, with the eastern plains frequently affected by storms from the East Sea, and the western highlands experiencing a more temperate regime.

History

Archaeological sites like the Đông Sơn drums attest to ancient Bronze Age civilizations, while the province was the heartland of the early Âu Lạc kingdom. It is most famous as the birthplace of the Hồ dynasty, which constructed the Hồ Citadel, and the later Lê dynasty, founded by Lê Lợi after his victory in the Lam Sơn uprising against the Ming dynasty. In the modern era, it was part of the French protectorate and later witnessed significant action during the Vietnam War, including the bombing of the Hàm Rồng Bridge.

Administrative divisions

The provincial capital is Thanh Hóa City, a major urban and administrative hub. The province is subdivided into two municipal cities: Sầm Sơn and Bỉm Sơn, along with 24 rural districts. Notable districts include Thọ Xuân, the ancestral home of the Lê dynasty, Vĩnh Lộc, site of the Hồ Citadel, and Quan Hóa in the western highlands. Other significant administrative units are Nông Cống, Thường Xuân, and Lang Chánh.

Economy

As a key economic driver of the region, it hosts major industrial complexes like the Nghi Sơn Refinery and Petrochemical plant, a joint venture involving PetroVietnam and Idemitsu Kosan. Agriculture remains vital, with large-scale production of rice, sugarcane, and livestock, while the Sầm Sơn tourism sector and deep-water ports such as Nghi Sơn Port facilitate trade. Energy projects, including the Hồi Xuân Hydropower Plant and various wind farms, contribute significantly to the national grid managed by Vietnam Electricity.

Demographics

With a population exceeding 3.6 million, it is one of the most populous provinces in Vietnam. The Kinh (Viet) constitute the majority, but there are substantial communities of Mường, Thái, Dao, and H'Mông peoples, particularly in districts like Quan Sơn and Mường Lát. The predominant religions include Buddhism, Catholicism, and indigenous belief systems, with notable Catholic populations in areas like Đông Sơn.

Culture

The province is renowned as the origin of Hát Tuồng classical theater and various folk festivals, such as the Lam Kinh Festival commemorating Lê Lợi. Traditional crafts include Đông Sơn bronze casting, Mường textile weaving, and Thái brocade. Culinary specialties feature iconic dishes like Nem chua (fermented pork roll) and Bánh gai (thorn leaf cake), while cultural landmarks extend from the Hồ Citadel to the ancient capital of Lam Kinh.

Category:Provinces of Vietnam Category:Thanh Hóa Province