Converging currents in the Kinh Bac region

BAC NINH - I was born in a rural area situated between the Cau and Thuong rivers. My village was in Hoang Ninh commune, Viet Yen district, Bac Giang province, now Nenh ward, Bac Ninh province, where Mr. Than Nhan Trung once lived. He was the one who left behind the timeless admonition for future generations: "Talented people are the lifeblood of the nation; when the lifeblood is strong, the nation prospers and rises; when the lifeblood is weak, the nation declines. Therefore, all wise emperors and kings have always prioritized cultivating talent, selecting scholars, and nurturing the nation's lifeblood."

This admonition transcends the boundaries of space and time, becoming the opening lines in many great historical works, a guiding light for all dynasties and all endeavors of nation-building and defense. More than just the spirit of a dynasty, this saying is an enlightening philosophy for all ages, as long as humanity needs wisdom to develop and morality to stand firm.

From that source, I grew up beside the Thuong River – a rustic, hardworking river, yet one that stirred emotions. Not as fierce as the Red River, nor as calm as the Perfume River, the Thuong River is quiet yet affectionate, carrying within its heart the sediment of countless generations of this land that once served as a frontier for ancient Thang Long.

On the other side is the Cau River – the river of the Quan Ho folk singers, of lyrical melodies and love songs. The writer Do Chu – a fellow native of my region – once wrote: “The Thuong River flows into my life, the Cau River flows through my life, and there are books that guide my steps through the years…” That sentence is like an acknowledgment: We were born from the river, grew up thanks to the river, and throughout our lives carry within us a part of the essence of those rivers. The Thuong River is Bac Giang , the Cau River is Bac Ninh – two flowing rivers, two rhythms that blend into a grand melody of the nation. Do Chu's writing is not just personal nostalgia, but also a symbolic representation of the shared memories of countless people from Kinh Bac and Ha Bac.

There are things that seem purely geographical, but when connected to history, culture, and the destiny of people, they become sacred. Like Bac Ninh and Bac Giang, two provinces that were separated from Ha Bac province in 1997, now officially merged into the new Bac Ninh province. Meeting again after nearly three decades, it's not a quiet return, but a journey forward with confidence, in a spirit of convergence, aspiration, and maturity.

I have traveled many times through the lands of ancient Ha Bac – from Dong Ho painting village and the ancient Dau Pagoda in the lower reaches to Phuong Nhan, Yen Dung, and Luc Ngan in the upper reaches – each place carrying within it a piece of history and culture, forming a shared map of memory for the entire region – formerly known as Kinh Bac. In that map, Bac Giang emerges as the place where cultural values crystallize, shaping the depth of Kinh Bac's identity. Bac Giang's cultural space is rich with a system of heritage sites recognized nationally and internationally.

A new land is opening up. A new era is beginning. And I, a son of this humble land by the Thuong River, have always believed in the miraculous resurgence of the place that gave birth to and raised me, with its bountiful rice harvests, the sound of chickens clucking at noon, my mother's lullabies… and with a simple yet profound saying: Talented people are the lifeblood of the nation.

Vinh Nghiem Pagoda, home to a precious collection of ancient woodblock prints, is recognized by UNESCO as a World Documentary Heritage site; Bo Da Pagoda boasts ancient architecture and a unique pagoda garden, considered one of the finest in Vietnam. The Yen Tu mountain range to the west embraces a part of the Truc Lam spiritual space – a Zen school founded by Emperor Tran Nhan Tong, embodying the patriotic and worldly spirit characteristic of Vietnamese Buddhism. Bac Giang also preserves and promotes many intangible cultural forms such as Ca Tru, Hat Van, and Then practices – heritages honored by UNESCO. Against this cultural backdrop is the diverse tapestry of ethnic minorities such as the Tay, Nung, San Chi, and San Diu, contributing to a vibrant and lively cultural tapestry amidst this land of abundant fruit throughout the four seasons.

In that land, there is a sacred symbol that cannot be overlooked - the Do Temple, a temple dedicated to eight kings of the Ly Dynasty in Dinh Bang village, the birthplace of a dynasty that led Dai Viet into a period of independence and development. This sacred space reminds every person from Kinh Bac today of their noble origins, the birthplace of the wise ruler Ly Thai To, with his visionary idea of relocating the capital and his aspiration to build a strong nation.

Bac Giang also boasts the pride of being home to Safe Zone II – the Hiep Hoa area, which served as a strategic base for the Central Party Committee from 1943. Ancient communal houses, moss-covered temples, and thatched-roof villages along the Cau River once silently sheltered revolutionary cadres, becoming printing centers for documents, hiding places for cadres, and contributing to the victory of the August Revolution and the subsequent protracted resistance war.

Today, from what was once a safe zone, Hiep Hoa is rising strongly, becoming a new development hub in the northwest of Bac Ninh, connecting revolutionary traditions with aspirations for innovation, modernization, and integration. And we cannot fail to mention Yen The, the homeland of the three-decade-long anti-French uprising led by leader Hoang Hoa Tham. The echoes of the ancient resistance seem to still resonate through every festival, every patch of forest, every folk song: "Rainbow Boys of Yen The - Girls of Noi Due, Cau Lim," a folk saying that both praises the spirit and evokes the harmonious beauty of literature and martial arts, of the tragic heroism and lyricism of the people of this land.

The name Ha Bac later became a symbol of diligence and creativity. But even before it bore this name, the Kinh Bac region had already produced many great revolutionaries and intellectuals such as Nguyen Van Cu, Hoang Quoc Viet, Ngo Gia Tu... These people emerged from the land of Quan Ho folk music and the land of uprisings, carrying with them a patriotic spirit and a desire for change, contributing to the great current of the nation.

However, the old Ha Bac region was also once perceived as a purely agricultural area with little innovation. The 1997 separation was not just an administrative decision, but also a test of the resilience of the two regions. And miraculously, after nearly three decades, both Bac Giang and Bac Ninh have demonstrated impressive resurgence – not in words, but in concrete, clear, and proud achievements.

Bac Giang, once a poor midland province, has transformed itself into a new industrial hub in Northern Vietnam, consistently leading the country in GRDP growth for many years. This success is a testament to a sound strategy: industrial development coupled with institutional reform, infrastructure expansion, synchronized planning, and selective investment attraction. Bac Giang's rapid progress is due to its innovative thinking, decisive leadership, and consistent efforts in creating a favorable business environment.

Meanwhile, Bac Ninh, once the land of poetic Quan Ho folk songs, has quickly become a rapidly developing industrial province. As the first locality to welcome Samsung's factory to Vietnam, Bac Ninh has rapidly risen to become a high-tech center, a shining example of digital transformation and administrative reform. Its per capita GRDP consistently ranks among the highest in the country. Bac Ninh is the "cradle" of intangible cultural heritage and also serves as a model for the aspiration of industrialization and modernization while preserving Vietnamese cultural identity.

Two different development trajectories, yet both directed towards a common goal: building a new center of Northern Vietnam – a hub for modern industry, dynamic services, rich cultural identity, and cutting-edge technology. The merger of Bac Giang and Bac Ninh to re-establish the new Bac Ninh province represents a geographical return, and a momentous encounter between two powerful, ambitious, and resilient currents of development.

The people of Kinh Bac region in the past valued literacy, affection, and righteousness. From that land, folk songs resonated, imbued with humanistic spirit and filial piety. Even a single Quan Ho folk song could forge lifelong friendships. The people here still address each other as "Brother Hai" and "Sister Ba"—a form of address that is both intimate and full of affection, preserving the simple, rustic cultural tradition that shines with noble character.

I believe that the new Bac Ninh will be a symbol of a land undergoing a powerful transformation. It's a place where the Thuong and Cau rivers still flow tirelessly. It's a place where people wake up each morning carrying with them a wealth of tradition and a broad, far-sighted vision. It's a place where children will learn their first life lessons through Quan Ho folk songs, through stories of Than Nhan Trung, and the wisdom of their ancestors. The younger generation growing up in this land will not only learn literacy and trades, but will also be nurtured by the cultural roots, folk songs, lullabies, and lessons of righteousness and morality passed down from their forefathers.

Each of us stands before an unprecedented historical moment – a blend of nostalgia and hope, of a cherished past and a future unfolding before us. If we listen carefully, we can still hear the gentle call of the two rivers: the Thuong River and the Cau River, like two notes in the grand symphony known as Kinh Bac – Ha Bac – Bac Giang – Bac Ninh – the new Bac Ninh.

Essays by Tran Duc

Source: https://baobacninhtv.vn/dong-chay-hoi-tu-vung-kinh-bac-postid421001.bbg