Situated within the culturally rich Kinh Bac space, boasting millennia of civilization and a wealth of legacies and tourism resources, unlocking and strategically promoting these cultural assets alongside socioeconomic development stands as an imperative focus for Bac Ninh province. Recognized as the foundational, endogenous strength, goal, and driving force behind enhancing "soft power," these efforts are pivotal in realizing the vision of establishing a rapidly growing, inclusive, and sustainable Bac Ninh.
The Quan Ho folk songs of Bac Ninh province, recognized by UNESCO, symbolize the region’s rich cultural heritage and identity
Nestled at the heart of the Red River Delta, Bac Ninh is surrounded by historical and cultural landmarks and illustrious figures. This convergence of traditional cultural values includes Kinh Duong Vuong's worship site, a revered figure in Vietnamese history, the ancestral temple of Vietnamese Buddhism, the earliest center of Chinese learning, the birthplace of the Ly Dynasty shaping Dai Viet civilization, and the enchanting melodies of Quan Ho folk songs—a cultural heritage in its own right.
The province boasts an array of tangible and intangible cultural heritages, comprising 1,589 relics, including 651 ranked relics, four special national relics, and 14 artifacts acknowledged as national treasures. With four UNESCO-certified heritage sites and eight entries in the National Intangible Cultural Heritage List, Bac Ninh's cultural wealth serves as both a resource and a catalyst for local sustainable development.
The Party Committee, government, and people of Bac Ninh steadfastly recognize culture as the spiritual bedrock of society, an endogenous strength, and a key motivator for development. The province has successfully hosted numerous large-scale national and international cultural events, reinforcing its identity as a cultural, literary, and tourist destination of great potential.
Key cultural events include the "Coming to Quan Ho Land" Festival 2023, "Learn about Vietnam Day 2023" attended by nearly 150 international diplomatic guests, and the Bac Ninh cultural legacy and beauty introduction program during the 6th Hanoi International Film Festival (HANIFF VI).
Bac Ninh takes pride in being the first province to issue Resolution No. 71-NQ/TU, focusing on building and developing culture and people in Bac Ninh until 2030, aligning with sustainable development requirements. This resolution, executed over a year, has instigated a paradigm shift in public awareness regarding the significance of cultural development for sustainable growth. Investments in cultural institutions, entertainment venues, public spaces, and urban amenities are gradually transforming from the provincial to grassroots levels.
Aligned with the goals set by the 20th Bac Ninh Provincial Party Congress (2020-2025 term), emphasizing the imperative of "Building a perfect Bac Ninh culture and people as a driving force for sustainable development," the province is dedicated to maintaining a harmonious balance between cultural and economic development. This involves preserving and promoting cultural heritages, turning them into unique tourism products to attract both domestic and international visitors.
With an eye on the future, Bac Ninh aims to welcome and serve 2-2.5 million tourists, generating total tourism revenue of VND2 trillion by 2025. By 2030, the province aspires to host over 5 million tourists, yielding total tourism revenue of VND 4.5 trillion.
Looking ahead, Bac Ninh plans to perpetuate its cultural and human standards, leveraging the Bac Ninh - Kinh Bac cultural value systems. The province will accentuate the role of intellectuals, artists, cultural and social activists, as well as media agencies in contributing to economic and societal development.
Moreover, Bac Ninh commits to strengthening institutional frameworks, policies, and resources while enhancing the value of its cultural identity. Three major approaches will guide this effort: positioning culture as a resource and driving force for sustainable development and community well-being, promoting traditional cultural values to inspire Bac Ninh's development, and cultivating a distinct cultural identity to bolster the province's soft power.
These strategic initiatives are poised to propel Bac Ninh toward its ambitious goals: becoming a modern high-tech industrial city and a hub for trade, services, education, human resource training, healthcare, research, scientific and technological application, and development by 2030. By 2045, Bac Ninh envisions transforming into a high-tech, smart industrial city.
By Nguyen Linh, Vietnam Business Forum
Vietnamese
October 2024
Hanoi