Steel City and its aspiration for greater heights.

In mid-June, as sunlight bathed every street corner, we strolled slowly along the tree-lined streets of Thai Nguyen City – the Steel City. Each row of trees, tiled roof, and building seemed to tell a story – a story of the city's more than 60 years of resilience and development, and its readiness for a new historical turning point: From July 1st, 2025, the two-tiered local government model will officially be operational, closing one chapter and ushering in a new era of development.

Over the years, the socio-technical infrastructure system of Thai Nguyen City has received significant investment. (Photo: Provided)

From a small town to a strategic regional center.

Like a natural stream of nostalgia, the Steel City transported us back in time, looking back at the journey of more than six decades, from a small, humble town with a population of over 60,000 in 1962, to a city with over 340,000 residents, an area of ​​over 222 square kilometers, and 32 commune-level administrative units today.

In the memories of many elderly people in the city, October 19, 1962, is a milestone marking a new chapter in the flow of history, when Thai Nguyen town was upgraded to Thai Nguyen City, directly under the provincial administration.

From the reunification of the country to the period of reform (1986), Thai Nguyen City made spectacular breakthroughs. In 2002, the Prime Minister recognized Thai Nguyen as a type II urban area. Eight years later, the city became a type I urban area directly under the province, holding a leading position not only of the province but also of the entire Northern Midlands and Mountainous region.

During the period 2016-2020, the city's economic growth rate reached an impressive figure (15.75% per year). Over the past five years, amidst the difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and global fluctuations, the city has maintained its development momentum, with an average growth rate of 7.7%. Total state budget revenue for the period 2020-2025 is projected to exceed 15,600 billion VND (averaging a 10.21% annual increase in budget revenue).

Thai Nguyen City's industry is becoming increasingly modern, prioritizing high technology and environmental friendliness. Meanwhile, agriculture affirms its identity with tea as its main crop – a product embodying the spirit of Tan Cuong land.

In 2024, the city's fresh tea leaf production reached over 23,220 tons, valued at over 1 trillion VND. The recognition of "Tan Cuong tea cultivation and processing knowledge" as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage affirms the cultural and economic value and pride of the people of Thai Nguyen.

Tourism also flourished, welcoming over 4.5 million visitors in 5 years. Festivals such as "Spring Tea Festival - Tan Cuong Specialty Tea Region" have created a unique brand, associated with the culture of the tea-growing region.

Thai Nguyen City is ready for a new journey. Photo: Provided.

A modern, civilized city with a rich cultural identity.

Thai Nguyen City today boasts a new image – a modern, dynamic city geared towards smart management. Over 500 infrastructure projects implemented in the past five years are testament to a modern city that is making breakthroughs every day.

Industrial clusters, residential areas, and new urban areas have been planned and constructed, creating leverage for the development of the central and surrounding regions. The socio-technical infrastructure system has received significant investment with major projects such as: the extended Bac Son road, the North-South road and Huong Thuong bridge, the Huong Thuong - Chua Hang road; and the Viet Bac road. Key projects include: the provincial stadium, the city center pedestrian zone, the landscaped park behind Vo Nguyen Giap square, and the Quang Vinh Bridge 1 and 2 projects... contributing to changing the urban landscape.

Alongside infrastructure development is the emergence of a "digital city". Thai Nguyen City has always been at the forefront of implementing e-government and digital government, with its intelligent operations center (IOC) operating efficiently to support security and traffic monitoring.

Since 2021, the city has been the first unit in the province to operate "paperless meeting rooms"; providing 100% level 4 procedures; and integrating digital transformation into all aspects of life.

At the same time, culture, education, healthcare, and social welfare policies are also considered by the city as foundations for sustainable development. Currently, 94.3% of public schools in the city meet national standards. The rate of trained labor in the city reaches 78.2%; the poverty rate is only 0.32%.

With the perspective that economic development is the central focus and Party building is the key, the Party Committee of Thai Nguyen City always prioritizes Party building and rectification, linking it with the study and emulation of Ho Chi Minh's ideology, ethics, and style.

From 600 party members in 1962, the Thai Nguyen City Party Committee now has over 29,000 party members and 98 grassroots party organizations. In the past five years, the city has admitted 4,150 new party members and established 16 new party branches in non-state enterprises.

Comrade Pham Xuan Duong, former member of the Central Committee of the Party, former Secretary of the Thai Nguyen Provincial Party Committee, former Secretary of the Thai Nguyen City Party Committee: I am proud to witness the remarkable development of Thai Nguyen City day by day. I believe that with a team of dedicated and capable officials, the city will go even further.

Ready to embrace your aspirations for greater heights.

From July 1st, 2025, a historical chapter for Thai Nguyen City will conclude, ushering in a new era of more efficient and people-oriented development. This is the result of meticulous preparation and a worthy inheritance of the values ​​the city has built over the past six decades.

In the future, the wards and communes of the city will become the nucleus of development, the engine of growth, and a new driving force for the entire Thai Nguyen province and the Northern Midlands and Mountainous region.

Comrade Dương Văn Lượng, Secretary of the Thái Nguyên City Party Committee.

The Secretary of the Thai Nguyen City Party Committee, Comrade Duong Van Luong, said emotionally: "We will always remember the sacrifices and efforts of generations of cadres, Party members, and people to build the city as it is today. I believe that with a solid foundation, the stature of a Class I city, and the aspiration to rise, Thai Nguyen City will enter the digital era, integrate deeply, and achieve breakthrough development."

Witnessing a historic transformation, many officials, Party members, and citizens of Thai Nguyen City could not hide their pride, mixed with a range of emotions.

Mr. Tran Xuan Yen, a 70-year-old Party member residing in Phan Dinh Phung ward, said: "I am happier witnessing the changes and modern development of the city. I also believe that after the implementation of the two-tiered local government system, this place will develop even more brilliantly."

Nguyen Hai Quan, Secretary of the Thai Nguyen City Youth Union, expressed: "Our young generation is committed to continuing to write the dream of building a modern, civilized city with a rich cultural identity."

Thai Nguyen City has fulfilled its sacred historical mission, transforming from a small town to a comprehensively developed Class I urban area. The achievements of today will lay a solid foundation for the next stage of development in the newly established wards and communes. And now, Thai Nguyen City begins a new journey, with a warm heart, enduring wisdom, and the aspirations of a succeeding generation…

Source: https://baothainguyen.vn/thoi-su-thai-nguyen/202506/thanh-pho-thep-and-khat-vong-vuon-xa-1f31b63/