Quảng Ninh province
Quảng Ninh is a province along the northeastern coast of Vietnam. It is about 153 km east of Hanoi, comprising four cities, two district-level towns and seven rural districts. The former provincial capital is Hạ Long. The province covers an area of and, as of 2023, had a population of 1,413,452. Nearly 80% of the province is mountainous, with 90% of Vietnam's coal output extracted from the province. The province is also home to Hạ Long Bay, a World Heritage Site that has 1,969 islands, out of which 989 have been given names.
Quảng Ninh has a Human Development Index of 0.784, ranking List of administrative divisions of [Vietnam by Human Development Index |sixth] among all municipalities and provinces of Vietnam.
Geography
The province has the shape of an oblique rectangle inclined in a northeast-to-southwest direction. To the west, the province borders a forest and mountain region. To the east, it is adjacent to the Gulf of Bắc Bộ. It features a meandering coastline, estuaries and tidal flats and more than 2,000 islands. Exactly 1,030 of these have been named. Quảng Ninh's coordinates are longitude 106º25′ to 108º25′ east and latitude 20º40′ to 21º40′ north. Its width from east to west is 195 km.The length from north to south of the province is 102 km. The northernmost point is in a mountain range at Mo Toòng village. The southernmost point is in Hạ Mai Island. The westernmost point is in Vàng Chua River. The easternmost point is inland at Got Cape, northeast of Trà Cổ commune, Móng Cái town.
Quảng Ninh has a common international border with the People's Republic of China. Inland, north of province and Móng Cái borders Dongxing City and Fangcheng County in Guangxi, PRC with the borderline of 170 km. To the east, it adjuncts to Bắc Bộ Gulf. The province also borders Lạng Sơn, Bắc Giang and Hải Dương provinces to the west, and the city of Hải Phòng to the south. The coastal line is 250 km. The total area of Quảng Ninh is 8,239.243 km2, of which 5,938 km2 is mainland. The area of islands, bays and sea is 2,448.853 km2. The total area of the islands is 619.913 km2.
Topography
More than 80 per cent of Quảng Ninh's area is made up of mountains and hills. The 2,000 some islands are also considered mountains. The mountainous zone can be divided into two parts: the eastern mountainous region extending from Tiên Yên through Bình Liêu, Hải Hà, Đầm Hà and Móng Cái; and the western zone ranging from Tiên Yên through Ba Chẽ and Hoành Bồ, north of Uông Bí Town. The former is a continuation of the Thâp Van Đai Son range in China. There are two main chains: Quảng Nam Châu 1,507 m and Cao Xiêm 1,330 m. The western zone features smooth and curved mountains called Đông Triều with Yên Tu Mount 1,068 m in Uông Bí region and Am Váp Mount 1,094 m in Hoành Bồ district.The midland and coastal plains include a range of hills weathered by both wind and water; forming fields and river basins. They include the zones of Đông Triều, Uông Bí, northern Yên Hưng, southern Tiên Yên, Hải Hà and some of Móng Cái. In the estuaries, alluvial soil is deposited, creating low tidal flats. This can be found in the areas of southern Uông Bí, southern Yên Hưng, eastern Yên Hưng, Đông Rui, southern Đầm Hà and Móng Cái, southeastern Hải Hà.
In the sea and island zone of Quảng Ninh, there are more than 2,000 islands, making up two-thirds of the country's islands. They extend along the coast for more than 250 km and divide into layers. The largest islands are Cái Bầu and Bản Sen, while the smallest are like rocks in a garden. Vân Đồn and Cô Tô are island districts. There are thousands of islands on Hạ Long Bay and Bái Tử Long Bay, some of which contain caves. Besides areas of alluvial deposits, there are white sand zones which have built up from tidal action. Some places have formed white sand mines producing materials for the glass industry, or have developed into tourism spots.
The sea bottom terrain of Quảng Ninh has an average depth of 20 m. There are the remnants of streams and underwater rocky banks. The streams from the mainland connect to drains along the sea-floor; creating a series of waterways, canals and harbours along the coast.
Hydrography
In Quảng Ninh, there are rivers and springs which feature currents that differ between seasons. In winter, most rivers run dry; in summer, waterfalls pick up faster currents. The water current reaches 1.45 m3/s in dry season, and up to 1,500 m3/s in the rainy season. Quảng Ninh's sea borders upon the Gulf of Bắc Bộ. It is protected by the ranks of islands, so the wind is quieter and the water smoother. The gulf's current runs from north to south. It is Vietnam's coldest sea, with the temperature sometimes dipping below 13 °C. The average tide level recorded is 2.5 m.Water resources
The largest rivers are: the Ka Long, Hà Côi, Đầm Hà, Tiên Yên, Phố Cũ, Ba Chẽ, Diễn Vọng, Trới, Míp, Uông, Đạm and Cầm rivers. The provincial border is the Kinh Thầy River which joins the Đá Bạch River and runs into Bạch Đằng. The total static capacity is estimated at 175.106 m3 of water. Out of the 72 lakes and dams, there are 28 large lakes with a total of capacity of 195.53 million m3 of water. The largest is Yên Lập Lake, which blocks the Míp Estuary. Its water volume is 1.18 million m3. Other lakes include: Khuất Động, Trúc Bài Sơn, Khe Táu, Đoan Tĩnh, Khe Uơn, Khe Chếnh, Yên Trung, Bến Châu, Trại Lốc, Rộc Cả and An Biên.Underground running water can be found on some of the larger islands. According to prospective data, 13 urban and industrial areas make use of 64,388 m3 water/day. In the province there are natural bottle water points in Quảng Hanh, Khe Lạc and Đồng Long. Mineral water is concentrated in the village of Quảng Hanh. There are 15 exploration holes, and according to preliminary results, capacity could be 1,004 m3/day. Quảng Hanh mineral water is clear and colourless, with mineral content varying from 3.5 to 5.05 g/L.
Mineral resources
The province has natural mineral resources of coal, limestone, clay, kaolin, white sand, granite and so forth. Reserves of anthracite coal account for 90% of coal output of Vietnam. Limestone reserves are estimated at 3.1 billion tonnes which would be the basic input for cement manufacture. Other mineral resources phosphorus, titanium, antimony, quartz, and oil have been found which could auger more industrial projects in the province. Clay and glassy sand, material inputs in the building industry for manufacture of tiles, bricks, and ceramics are present.Climate
Quảng Ninh's climate is typical of the climate of North Vietnam; featuring all four seasons. In summer, it is hot, humid and rainy, while monsoons flourish. The average annual temperature recorded is 22.9 °C. In winter, it is cold, dry, and sees less rainfall. The average humidity is 82%. Annual average rainfall, influenced by north-eastern monsoons, varies between 1,700 mm and 2,400 mm, with rainfall concentrated in the summer months for 90 to 170 days, particularly in July and August.In comparison to other provinces in the north, Quảng Ninh has been more under the influences of north-eastern monsoon. During the north-east monsoon, mountainous regions such as Bình Liêu and Hải Hà, Đầm Hà experiences temperatures below 0 °C. Storms have an influence on the province, mainly in June, July and August. The intensity can be stronger in island and coastal regions.
Because of the terrain differences, the climates of sub-regions differ. The border area of the Móng Cái district is colder and rainy, with an average temperature of around 22 °C and rainfall reaching 2,751 mm. In the Yên Hưng District, the most southern area, the average temperature is 24 °C and gets an average rainfall of 1,700 mm. The mountainous region of Hoành Bồ, and Ba Chẽ districts, has 20 days of frost a year. In the Bình Liêu District there is heavier rain and winter lasts for six months. The offshore island region is not the wettest area, with 1,700 to 1,800 mm of rainfall per year, and winter is sometimes accompanied by mists.
Demographics
According to the General Statistics Office of the Government of Vietnam, the population of Quảng Ninh Province, as of 2019, was 1,320,324 with a density of 216 persons per km2 over a total land area of. The male population during this period was 671,522 while the female population was 648,802. The rural population was 498,338 against an urban population of 822,761.The dominant religious beliefs are of Buddhists, Christians and ancestor worship in addition to other folk beliefs.
Fauna and flora
Identified floral species are numbered at 1,027 of 6 phyla, while faunal species are 120.There are species of fish in the Gulf of Bắc Bộ. There are pearly mussels, stockfish, sea turtles and lobsters, while along the coastline, oysters and edible seaweed abound. These fish resources of the sea have been a source of income for the residents of Quảng Ninh.
There are fruit trees, lumber trees and industrial plants. The area for fruit trees in the Đông Triều City totals around 30 km2. Formerly in Quảng Ninh, there was more diverse wood available, in particular ironwood and teak trees. Later, there are mainly pine trees. In mountainous areas, there are a variety of trees and plants, providing spices and traditional medicines.
Economy
The People's Committee of Quảng Ninh province in 2007 approved proposals for development plans up to 2020. Mineral extraction industries are being developed. Special economic zones are being created and the plans envisage making the province a modern industrial province by 2015. The two economic development zones under development are the Mong Cai Border Gate Economic Zone and the Van Don Economic Zone. Tourism is also a sector of economic development, which has been given priority. Quảng Ninh has targeted to become a regional high-quality tourism center and an economic growth hub in the North with synchronized socio-economic and technical infrastructure and improved living conditions.Some of the economic indicators in agriculture, industries and other sectors are the following.
There are 1,440 farms as against the national number of 120,699
The output value of agriculture produce at constant 1994 prices in the province was 952.5 billion đồngs against the national value of 156,681.9 billion đồngs.
The province produced 227,700 tonnes of cereals as against the national production of 43.68 million tonnes.
The per capita production of cereals in the district was 205.2 kg as against the national figure of 501.8 kg. in 2008.
In 2007, the industrial output of the province was 37,987.5 billion VND against the national output of 1.47 million billion VND.
On Vietnam's Provincial Competitiveness Index 2023, a tool for evaluating the business environment in Vietnam's provinces, Quang Ninh received a score of 71.25. This was a decrease from 2022 in which the province received a score of 72.95. In 2023, the province received its highest scores on the 'time costs' and 'business support policy' criteria and lowest on 'labour policy' and 'policy bias'.
Historical places
The province has number of attractions connected with the landforms such as the mountains and the sea or the bay, religious places of worship and festivals. Some of these are:Mountains
Bài Thơ Mountain is a limestone mountain formation, which rises to a height of 106 meters, in the middle of Hạ Long City. It appears like a castle with three towers of the undulating rock. Another mountain is the That Bai Tho Mountain, which was earlier called the Transmission Mount. It has historical linkage to the visit of Emperor Lê Thánh Tông to the provincial city in 1468. The emperor was moved by the beauty of the mountain covered with clouds, called it a young fairy of Hạ Long and got a poem written on it and engraved on the southern side of the rocky cliff. In 1729, Lord Trịnh Cương did a painting and poem on Emperor Lê Thánh Tông on this mountain. That's why it was called Poem mountain.Temples
Two temples in the province are the Cửa Ông Temple located on a mountain overlooking low Bai Tu Long Bay, and the Tien Temple located next to the headquarters of People's Committee of Cam La commune.Quảng Ninh Province is home to several Buddhist pagodas include The Yên Tử Pagoda Complex, Ba Vàng Pagoda, Long Tiên Pagoda, Ngọa Vân Pagoda.
Bạch Đằng beach
Bạch Đằng beach is a historical site which commemorates the 13th-century victory of Trần Quốc Tuấn over the Mongols, who had invaded the country with 30,000 troops.Transport
The road network in the province consists of the National Highways No. 10, 18, and 48. Highway No. 10 links to Hanoi, Haiphong and other northern provinces. National Highway 4B connects the province with Lạng Sơn and Cao Bằng.The Hanoi–Hạ Long railway line has been improved. Rail links of 64 km length connect to industries in the province.
The water transport is provided by its rivers and the sea ports such as the Cai Lan port, the largest deep water port in North Vietnam that is under further expansion to handle cargo of 7–10 million tonnes per year. Another port is the Cu Ong port, which can handle ships of 65,000–70,000 DWT capacity. Other minor ports in the coastline of the province are the Bo, Cau Trang, B12, Mui Chua, Dien Cong, Bach Thai Buoi, Tien Yen and Dan Tien.