Steel City and the desire to reach far

In mid-June, when the sunlight covered every street corner, we walked slowly on the tree-lined streets of Thai Nguyen City - the Steel City. Each row of trees, tiled roof, construction... seemed to tell a story - the story of the city's journey of more than 60 years of resilience and construction, and was ready for a new historical turning point: From July 1, 2025, the 2-level local government model will officially operate, closing a journey, opening a new era of development.

In recent years, the technical and social infrastructure system of Thai Nguyen City has received strong investment. Photo TL

From small town to strategic regional center

Like a natural stream of nostalgia, the Steel City takes us back in time, looking back at the journey of more than 6 decades, from a small, humble town with a population of more than 60,000 people in 1962, to a city with more than 340,000 residents, an area of ​​over 222km2, with 32 commune-level administrative units today.

In the memories of many seniors in the city, October 19, 1962 was a milestone marking a new chapter in the flow of history, when Thai Nguyen town was upgraded to Thai Nguyen city under the province.

From the day the country was reunified to the renovation period (1986), Thai Nguyen City gradually made a spectacular breakthrough. In 2002, the Prime Minister recognized Thai Nguyen as a class II urban area. 8 years later, the city became a class I urban area under the province, holding the leading position not only of the province but also of the Northern Midlands and Mountains region.

In the 2016-2020 period, the city's economic growth rate reached an impressive figure (15.75%/year). Over the past five years, amidst difficulties caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and global fluctuations, the city has maintained its growth momentum, with an average growth rate of 7.7%. The city's total state budget revenue in the 2020-2025 period reached over VND15,600 billion (average budget revenue increased by 10.21%/year).

Thai Nguyen City’s industry is increasingly modern, prioritizing high technology and environmental friendliness. Meanwhile, agriculture affirms its identity with the main tea tree - a product that carries the soul of Tan Cuong land.

In 2024, the city's fresh tea bud output will reach more than 23,220 tons, worth over VND1,000 billion. "Knowledge of growing and processing Tan Cuong tea" is recognized as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, affirming the cultural, economic value and pride of Thai Nguyen people.

Tourism has also flourished, welcoming more than 4.5 million visitors in 5 years. Festivals such as “Spring Tea Fragrance - Tan Cuong Special Tea Region” have created a unique brand, associated with the culture of the tea region.

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

Modern, civilized, and rich-in-identity urban area

Thai Nguyen City today has a new look - a modern, dynamic and smartly managed city. Over 500 infrastructure projects implemented in the past 5 years are proof of a modern city that is making breakthroughs every day.

Industrial clusters, residential areas, and new urban areas are planned and built, creating a lever for the development of the central region and surrounding areas. The technical and social infrastructure system is strongly invested with large projects such as: Bac Son extended road, North-South road and Huong Thuong bridge, Huong Thuong - Chua Hang road; Viet Bac road. Key projects: Provincial stadium, Central walking street, landscape park behind Vo Nguyen Giap square, Quang Vinh 1, 2 bridge project... contribute to changing the urban appearance.

Along with infrastructure development is the presence of a “digital city”. Thai Nguyen City is always at the forefront of implementing e-government and digital government with the IOC Smart Operation Center being operated effectively, supporting security and traffic monitoring.

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

At the same time, culture, education, health care, and social security policies are also considered by the city as the foundation for sustainable development. Currently, the entire city has 94.3% of public schools meeting national standards. The rate of trained workers in the city is 78.2%; the poverty rate is 0.32%.

With the viewpoint that economic development is the focus and Party building is the key, the Party Committee of Thai Nguyen City always focuses on Party building and rectification, associated with studying and following Ho Chi Minh's ideology, morality and lifestyle.

From 600 party members in 1962, up to now, Thai Nguyen City Party Committee has more than 29,000 party members, 98 grassroots party organizations. In the past 5 years, the city has admitted 4,150 new party members, established 16 new party cells in non-state enterprises.

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

Ready for the aspiration to go far

From July 1, 2025, a historic period of Thai Nguyen City will come to an end, opening a new era of development, more effective, closer to the people. This is the result of a thorough preparation process, worthy inheritance of the values ​​that the city has built over the past 6 decades.

From now on, the city's wards and communes will become the development nucleus, the growth locomotive, the new driving force of both Thai Nguyen province and the Northern midland and mountainous region.

Comrade Duong Van Luong, Secretary of Thai Nguyen City Party Committee.

Secretary of Thai Nguyen City Party Committee, Comrade Duong Van Luong, was moved: We always remember the sacrifices and efforts of many generations of cadres, party members and people to build a city like today. I believe that with a solid foundation, the stature of a first-class urban area and the aspiration to rise, Thai Nguyen City will enter the digital age, deeply integrate and develop breakthroughs.

Witnessing a historic change, many cadres, party members and people of Thai Nguyen City could not hide their pride and mixed emotions.

Mr. Tran Xuan Yen, a 70-year Party member in Phan Dinh Phung Ward, said: I am happier to witness the changes and modern development of the city. I also believe that after implementing the 2-level local government, this place will develop more and more brilliantly.

Mr. Nguyen Hai Quan, Secretary of Thai Nguyen City Youth Union, expressed: Our young generation is willing to continue writing the dream of building a modern, civilized city rich in identity.

Thai Nguyen City has completed its sacred historical mission from a small town to a comprehensively developed first-class urban area. The results achieved today will be a solid foundation for the next development steps of new wards and communes. And now, Thai Nguyen City begins a new journey, with a warm heart, persistent intelligence and the desire to reach far of a generation that is continuing...

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