A province with the second smallest area in the country, only larger than Bac Ninh province, once merged with Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh provinces.

Ha Nam is the second smallest province in the country, only larger than Bac Ninh. Historically, Ha Nam province merged with Nam Dinh province to form Nam Ha province; Nam Ha province merged with Ninh Binh to form Ha Nam Ninh province and after 2 separations into 3 provinces Nam Dinh, Ha Nam, Ninh Binh as today.

Ha Nam is the second smallest province in the country.

Accordingly, Ha Nam province has an area of ​​860.90km2, the second smallest in the country, only larger than Bac Ninh province (Bac Ninh is the smallest province in Vietnam with 822.70km2, second is Ha Nam with 860.90km2, third is Hung Yen with 930.20km2 and Vinh Phuc province is next with 1,235.20km2).

With the second smallest area, Ha Nam is also the province with the fewest district-level administrative units in the country - 6 districts (lower than the standard number of district-level administrative units in the province of 9 districts). Specifically, Ha Nam has 4 districts including Kim Bang, Thanh Liem, Ly Nhan, Binh Luc; Duy Tien town and Phu Ly city.

Despite its modest area, Ha Nam has an important geographical position, located more than 50km from the center of Hanoi capital and is considered the southern gateway of the capital. Ha Nam borders Hanoi to the north, Hung Yen and Thai Binh to the east, Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh to the south, and Hoa Binh to the west.

During its development history, Ha Nam underwent many changes in place names and administrative boundaries. In 1831, under the reign of King Minh Mang, the Nguyen Dynasty carried out administrative reforms, establishing provinces instead of towns, and dividing the country into 29 provinces. According to this policy, the land of Ha Nam at that time was Ly Nhan prefecture located in Ha Noi province.

Phu Ly City, Ha Nam seen from above. Photo: Ha Nam Newspaper.

On March 21, 1890, Liem Binh district was established, including 3 districts Nam Xang, Binh Luc, Thanh Liem separated from Ly Nhan district (Hanoi province) to belong to Nam Dinh province, the district headquarters was located in An Duong commune (Binh Luc district). Liem Binh district did not exist for long when on October 20, 1890, Governor General of Indochina JG Piquet issued a Decree to establish the new province of Ha Nam.

In 1965, to focus on strengthening leadership and direction, our State merged a number of provinces. Nam Ha province (including Ha Nam and Nam Dinh provinces) was established under Decision No. 103-TVQH dated April 21, 1965 of the National Assembly Standing Committee.

On December 27, 1971, the 5th National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam, 2nd session, decided to establish a number of new provinces, in which Nam Ha province was merged with Ninh Binh province to form Ha Nam Ninh province. Then 16 years later, on December 26, 1991, during the National Assembly session, it was decided to split Ha Nam Ninh province into two provinces, Nam Ha and Ninh Binh, as before.

After more than 32 years of merging with Nam Dinh and Ninh Binh provinces, Ha Nam was re-established with its birth name according to the Resolution of the National Assembly of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam, 8th term, 10th session, on November 6, 1996, dividing Nam Ha province into 2 provinces Ha Nam and Nam Dinh.

Ha Nam, a land rich in cultural traditions and dynamic in economic development

Ha Nam is a land with a long history, preserving many typical cultural sediments of the Red River Delta, the most convincing evidence of which is the national treasure Ngoc Lu Bronze Drum - a symbol of Vietnamese culture.

Today, Ha Nam has emerged as a province with dramatic changes in the path of innovation, integration and development. In 2024, Ha Nam will complete 16/16 economic and social targets, reaching and exceeding the set plan. Of which, the total product in the province (GRDP) is estimated at 56,115.3 billion VND, an increase of 10.93% compared to 2023 (ranking 2nd in the Red River Delta).

Tam Chuc Pagoda, a popular tourist destination in Ha Nam province. Photo: https://vietnam.vnanet.vn.

Notably, the economic growth rate is expected to reach 10.93%, ranking second in the Red River Delta region. State budget revenue is estimated to reach nearly 17,000 billion VND, an increase of more than 20% compared to 2023. Average income per capita reaches more than 111 million VND; the poverty rate decreases to 1.65%.

In particular, Ha Nam continues to be honored by the World Tourism Organization as "Asia's Leading Emerging Tourist Destination" in 2024; "Asia's Leading Local Cultural Destination" and "Special Achievement Award 2024". Total tourism revenue is estimated at VND 3,657 billion (reaching 110% of the annual plan and increasing by 8.1% compared to 2023).

With nearly 2,000 relics of all kinds, including 2 special national relics, 95 relics ranked at the national level and 133 relics at the provincial level; 3 national treasures; 12 typical intangible cultural heritages listed in the list of national intangible cultural heritages; more than 100 traditional festivals, 40 traditional craft villages... Along with that is a system of famous rivers, mountains and caves such as: Tam Chuc Lake, Ba Hang Lake, Doi Mountain - Chau River, Cam Mountain - Ngu Dong Son... are attractive destinations for domestic and foreign tourists.

Up to now, the province has formed typical tourism products such as: rural tourism products with traditional craft villages: Dai Hoang fish sauce village, Trong Doi Tam village, Nha Xa silk village... Cultural-spiritual tourism, festivals: Ba Danh pagoda, Tran Thuong temple, Long Doi Son pagoda, Lanh Giang temple, Dia Tang Phi Lai pagoda, Nguyen Khuyen temple, Nam Cao writer-martyr memorial area; Tich Dien festival, salary distribution ceremony at Tran Thuong temple.

Ha Nam province's agricultural production has developed steadily, and the work of overcoming the consequences of natural disasters, especially storm No. 3, has been carried out promptly and effectively. The new rural development program continues to be implemented strongly and effectively. It is expected that by the end of 2024, the whole province will have 50/65 communes meeting the standards of advanced new rural areas and model new rural areas.

Source: https://danviet.vn/mot-tinh-co-dien-tich-nho-thu-hai-ca-nuoc-chi-lon-hon-tinh-bac-ninh-tung-sap-nhap-voi-tinh-nam-dinh-ninh-binh-20250323181752855.htm