Reuniting two provinces into one family – Leverage for strategic development

New development space

On June 12, 2025, the National Assembly passed a Resolution on the arrangement of provincial-level administrative units, merging Bac Kan and Thai Nguyen into Thai Nguyen province (new), with 461/465 delegates in favor. The Resolution takes effect immediately and the new apparatus begins operating from July 1, 2025. After the arrangement, the country has 34 provincial-level administrative units, including 28 provinces and 6 cities.

The two localities merged into Bac Thai province in 1965, then separated in 1997 to suit development requirements. Now, the reunification opens up a unified development space, combining the ecological potential and resources of Bac Kan and the industrial and urban advantages of Thai Nguyen.

Bac Kan has strengths in raw material forests, minerals (iron, lead, zinc, limestone), hydropower and tourism. Meanwhile, Thai Nguyen is a center of metallurgy, mechanics,education and healthcare. The combination will create a production chain from raw material exploitation to deep processing, especially in the mining and wood processing industry. Technology and capital from Thai Nguyen will promote the effective exploitation of resources in Bac Kan.

The tourism space is also expanded with the connection between Ba Be Lake, ATK Dinh Hoa, Cho Don and Nui Coc Lake, Tan Cuong tea space, Museum of Ethnic Cultures (Thai Nguyen). This ecological - historical - cultural tourism route is expected to attract a large number of domestic and foreign tourists.

In addition, Bac Kan people will have the opportunity to access high-quality medical and educational services from the hospital and university systems in Thai Nguyen. Vocational training centers can also expand their scope, contributing to improving the quality of human resources in mountainous areas.

In terms of infrastructure, the merger will enhance planning and investment efficiency. Routes such as National Highway 3, Ho Chi Minh Road West Branch, and Thai Nguyen - Cho Moi Expressway have conveniently connected the two provinces. This connection will promote trade and labor circulation. Workers from Bac Kan can access job opportunities in large industrial parks in Thai Nguyen such as Yen Binh, Diem Thuy, and Song Cong, thereby improving their income and living standards.

The merger also contributes to strengthening national defense and security. Both provinces have a large Tay and Nung ethnic group with many common cultural values, creating favorable conditions for management and building a solid national defense and people's security posture.

Both provinces have large Tay and Nung ethnic communities.

Big Vision – Bold Action

With the high consensus of the People's Councils of the two provinces and the people, the merger project has realized a new development vision. After the arrangement, Thai Nguyen province has an area of over 8,375 km² (reaching 104.69% of the standard), a population of nearly 1.8 million people (199.94% of the standard), with 92 commune-level administrative units (77 communes, 15 wards). The political and administrative center is located in Thai Nguyen province today.

Mr. Ha Ngoc Viet, Vice Chairman of Bach Thong District People's Committee, said: "The new province will operate under a two-level government model, with the commune as the center. This is a big challenge but also an opportunity to streamline the apparatus, improve management effectiveness and expand regional development space; bring the province's direction directly to the grassroots and promptly grasp the people's thoughts and aspirations."

Mr. Ha Van Tranh, Deputy Secretary and Chairman of the People's Committee of Bang Lang Commune (Cho Don) commented: "The policy of merging provinces and abolishing district levels goes hand in hand with decentralization and strong empowerment of the grassroots. The new commune will have abundant resources and broader authority to solve all problems on the spot."

July 1 is approaching, marking the time when Bac Kan and Thai Nguyen enter a new era of cooperation. The merger is not only a solution to streamline and effectively organize the apparatus, but also creates room for economic development, promoting potential, and building a (new) more prosperous and sustainable Thai Nguyen./.

Source: https://baobackan.vn/tai-hop-hai-tinh-mot-nha-don-bay-phat-trien-chien-luoc-post71634.html