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Hạ Long

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(Redirected from Ha Long City) This article is about the Vietnamese city. For the gulf in this city, see Hạ Long Bay. For the beachfront avenue in Vũng Tàu, see Vũng Tàu.
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Provincial city in Quảng Ninh, Vietnam
Hạ Long Thành Phố Hạ Long
Provincial city (Class-1)
From top to bottom, from left to right: a view of the city from Bài Thơ mountain, stalactites in Thiên Cung cave, Hạ Long Bay, resort on Rêu island in Bãi Cháy ward, Bãi Cháy Bridge
Official seal of Hạ LongSeal
Hạ Long is located in VietnamHạ LongHạ LongLocation in Vietnam
Coordinates: 20°57′N 107°05′E / 20.950°N 107.083°E / 20.950; 107.083
Country Vietnam
ProvinceQuảng Ninh
Government
 • TypePeople's Committee and People's Council
 • Chairman of People's CouncilNguyễn Thế Thịnh
 • Chairman of People's CommitteePhạm Hồng Hà
Area
 • Total1,119.12 km (432.09 sq mi)
Population
 • Total270,054
 • Density240/km (620/sq mi)
ClimateCwa
Websitehalongcity.gov.vn

Hạ Long (Vietnamese: [hâːˀ lawŋm] | transl. 'descending dragon') is a first-class provincial city and the capital city of Quảng Ninh province, Vietnam. It was found in 1993, when the old capital, Hòn Gai, was merged with Bãi Cháy, the main tourist area. The city mainly lies on Hạ Long Bay, and is located at about 178 km (111 mi) east of Hà Nội. The city's population in 2019 was 270,054.

Overview

Drone shot of the Bridge of Bãi Cháy in 2023

Hạ Long's economy shifted its economic focus from coal mining to tourism in 2012, due to the large number of visitors drawn by the Hạ Long Bay every year. Hạ Long enjoys rapid growth not only in its own tourism sphere, but also as a destination upon the main pathway to southern China. In the 2007 Vietnam-China Business Forum, a $400 million deal was signed to build a highway linking Hạ Long and the border city of Móng Cái. The highway began construction in 2015 and was completed in 2022.

Hạ Long is divided into two parts. The eastern part, known colloquially as Hòn Gai, where most of the governing offices and industrial infrastructure are concentrated, is connected by a cable-stayed bridge to the western part, Bãi Cháy, known as an area for tourism.

Location

Being a coastal city, Hạ Long bears unique potentials of tourism and seaport due to its land lies along the shore of Hạ Long Bay by 50 km. Hạ Long is 160 km to the north-east from Hà Nội, 60 km to the East from Hải Phòng, 180 km to the south-west from Móng Cái international border gate, and bounded by the Gulf of Tonkin to the south. Hạ Long has strategic location of economic development, security of the region and the country.

History

Mankind has been present in Hạ Long for a long time. Archaeologists and historians concluded that during the Stone Age, there had been three cultures known as Soi Nhụ, Hạ Long and Cái Bèo, affirming that the bay and its surrounding areas were one of the cradles of mankind. The heartland of today's Hạ Long is formerly a fishing village named Bãi Hàu (lit. 'Oyster coast'). By the beginning of the Dynasty of Nguyễn, it was renamed to Mẫu Lệ. The current city was then part of Hoành Bồ.

In 1883, during French rule, the French carried out coal mining in the mines on the bay's coast. As many islands were populated with hemp, the French called them Ile des brouilles or a name translated from "Hòn Gai" to "Hòn Gay", and later renamed them Hòn Gai. According to the researchers, "Hòn Gai" is a deviation from the place of the French Red Sea at that time. The "H" is a silent sound when spoken in French. During this period, Hòn Gai was an administrative unit of Quảng Yên province.

After the August Revolution in 1945, this township became the capital town of the huge Hồng Gai mine area. Later in 1946, the French retook Hòn Gai. After the 1954 Geneva Conference, Hòn Gai became the capital of the special district of Hồng Quảng. On October 30, 1963, the Vietnamese government combined Hải Ninh province and Hồng Quảng to establish the province of Quảng Ninh, with Hòn Gai becoming its capital, and the province's boundaries being expanded. The Hòn Gai town center provided coal for all industrial zones of North Vietnam. It was also one of the gateways that lead to China, and as such, it was frequently targeted by U.S. forces during the Vietnam War. The Bãi Cháy ferry line (decommissioned in 2007 and replaced by the Bãi Cháy Bridge) was the most important transportation hub, was the target of many U.S. bombardments, and was awarded Hero of the People's Armed Forces three times.

On December 27, 1993, the government issued Decree No. 102/CP, where Hòn Gai officially gained city status and was renamed to Hạ Long, while also incorporating Bãi Cháy into its territory.

On December 17, 2019, the city's committee announced its intention to incorporate Hoành Bồ into its territory.

Climate

Climate data for Hạ Long (Bãi Cháy)
Month Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec Year
Record high °C (°F) 28.8
(83.8)
29.5
(85.1)
32.0
(89.6)
34.6
(94.3)
36.1
(97.0)
37.3
(99.1)
37.9
(100.2)
36.5
(97.7)
36.3
(97.3)
34.1
(93.4)
33.8
(92.8)
29.7
(85.5)
37.9
(100.2)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) 19.3
(66.7)
19.7
(67.5)
22.0
(71.6)
26.1
(79.0)
30.1
(86.2)
31.5
(88.7)
31.7
(89.1)
31.3
(88.3)
30.7
(87.3)
28.8
(83.8)
25.5
(77.9)
21.7
(71.1)
26.5
(79.7)
Daily mean °C (°F) 16.2
(61.2)
17.0
(62.6)
19.5
(67.1)
23.4
(74.1)
26.9
(80.4)
28.4
(83.1)
28.6
(83.5)
27.9
(82.2)
27.1
(80.8)
25.0
(77.0)
21.5
(70.7)
17.9
(64.2)
23.3
(73.9)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) 14.0
(57.2)
15.2
(59.4)
17.8
(64.0)
21.5
(70.7)
24.6
(76.3)
26.0
(78.8)
26.2
(79.2)
25.4
(77.7)
24.4
(75.9)
22.2
(72.0)
18.7
(65.7)
15.3
(59.5)
20.9
(69.6)
Record low °C (°F) 4.6
(40.3)
5.3
(41.5)
7.1
(44.8)
11.4
(52.5)
15.9
(60.6)
18.4
(65.1)
21.4
(70.5)
21.1
(70.0)
16.6
(61.9)
14.0
(57.2)
9.0
(48.2)
1.7
(35.1)
1.7
(35.1)
Average rainfall mm (inches) 27.7
(1.09)
24.5
(0.96)
42.9
(1.69)
86.3
(3.40)
183.2
(7.21)
297.0
(11.69)
364.3
(14.34)
430.5
(16.95)
276.0
(10.87)
142.6
(5.61)
38.9
(1.53)
18.1
(0.71)
1,923
(75.71)
Average rainy days 7.6 10.4 14.3 11.4 12.0 15.5 16.5 18.7 14.1 9.2 5.8 5.2 140.5
Average relative humidity (%) 80.4 84.0 87.1 86.5 83.3 83.8 83.6 85.6 82.5 78.5 76.7 76.3 82.4
Mean monthly sunshine hours 81.2 48.3 42.9 88.7 178.2 168.4 186.8 165.2 177.1 177.3 155.7 127.7 1,595.8
Source: Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology

Culture and society

Hòn Gai Catholic Church in 2021

In the south of the city lies Mount Bài Thơ with its almost vertical seaward face, which was widely traversed by a number of historically known local poets. The limestone peak is rich in biodiversity and offers attractive views of the bay. Other places of interest include the Town of Cửa Vận, Hoàng Gia Park, Hạ Long Market, Bãi Cháy Trading Center, Quảng Ninh Museum and Library, Tuần Châu island, Vietnam-Japan Cultural House, Children's Cultural House, and the Sun World complex.

The city has an active Catholic church in its eastern part, Hòn Gai, on the hill near the main post office, which hosts masses every Sunday evening and on Christian holidays.

Administrative divisions

The city is subdivided to 33 commune-level subdivisions, including 21 wards and 12 rural communes:

List of administrative divisions in Hạ Long
Name Area  (km) Population
Wards (21)
Bạch Đằng 1,7 9.334
Bãi Cháy 21 19.890
Cao Thắng 2,47 16.167
Cao Xanh 7,14 15.756
Đại Yên 45,37 7.900
Giếng Đáy 6,24 14.822
Hà Khánh 31,9 6.306
Hà Khẩu 8,28 11.588
Hà Lầm 4,01 9.807
Hà Phong 5,68 9.220
Hà Trung 5,68 7.442
Hà Tu 15,94 12.234
Hoành Bồ (formerly Trới township)
Hồng Gai 1,67 7.232
Hồng Hà 3,81 15.058
Hồng Hải 2,77 17.815
Hùng Thắng 5,97 5.730
Name Area  (km) Population
Trần Hưng Đạo 0,64 9.643
Việt Hưng 31,7 8.648
Tuần Châu 7,1 1.763
Yết Kiêu 1,57 9.440
Rural communes (12)
Bằng Cả
Dân Chủ
Đồng Lâm
Đồng Sơn
Hòa Bình
Kỳ Thượng
Lê Lợi
Quảng La
Sơn Dương
Tân Dân
Thống Nhất
Vũ Oai

Economy

The city comprises five economic areas:

  • Area 1: Trading, services including the wards of Yết Kiêu, Trần Hưng Đạo, Hồng Gai, Bạch Đằng, Hồng Hải, Hồng Hà, Cao Xanh and Cao Thắng.
  • Area 2: Industry, forestry including the wards of Hà Trung, Hà Tu, Hà Khánh, Hà Lầm and Hà Phong.
  • Area 3: Industry, seaports including north-west of Bãi Cháy, north of Việt Hưng, Giếng Đáy and Hà Khẩu.
  • Area 4: Tourism, trading including south of Bãi Cháy, Hùng Thắng and Tuần Châu.
  • Area 5: Agriculture, fishery including Việt Hưng and Đại Yên.

The structure of Hạ Long's economy includes: Industry-tourism, services, trading, agriculture, forestry and fishery. In 2002, city's GDP increased up to VND 1,6669.7 billion (pricing of 1994), accounting for 38% of the whole province, of which industry and construction occupy 31%, tourism and services occupy 53%; revenue collection accounts for 86.3% of the province. Annual GDP growth rate is 11.4%. GDP per capital reached US$1,070 in 2002, higher than per capita income of the country in that time.

Hạ Long City has 1,470 industry and handicrafts manufacturing units, including coal mining and processing, ship building, building materials, mechanic, wood processing, food, foodstuff and garment. There are 3 industrial zones: Cái Lân (with Cái Lân Port, one of the biggest ports in North Vietnam), Đồng Đăng and Hà Khánh.

The Tuần Châu cruise ship port

Transportation

The Van Don International Airport serves Hạ Long and the wider Quảng Ninh province. It is located approximately 50 km (31 mi) east of Hạ Long.

Gallery

  • Bãi Cháy Bridge Bãi Cháy Bridge
  • Fishers' boats on bay Fishers' boats on bay
  • Traditional red sails on Hạ Long style's boat contrast with blue water surface Traditional red sails on Hạ Long style's boat contrast with blue water surface
  • Limestone islands Limestone islands
  • Sailing towards Ha Long Bay Sailing towards Ha Long Bay
  • Ha Long Ha Long
  • Sun Wheel Sun Wheel

References

  1. "Hạ Long (District-level City, Quảng Ninh, Vietnam) – Population Statistics, Charts, Map and Location". www.citypopulation.de. Retrieved 2024-02-07.
  2. "TP Hạ Long sẽ trở thành đô thị lớn nhất cả nước". blog.mytour.vn (in Vietnamese). 2019-10-07. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  3. Hương, Thảo (2022-10-28). "Du lịch Quảng Ninh: Một thập kỷ chuyển mình ngoạn mục". Báo Kinh tế đô thị (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  4. "Quảng Ninh: Để du lịch trở thành ngành kinh tế mũi nhọn". vietnamtourism.gov.vn (in Vietnamese). 2021-10-26. Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  5. ONLINE, TUOI TRE (2022-09-01). "Quảng Ninh thông xe cao tốc Vân Đồn – Móng Cái". TUOI TRE ONLINE (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  6. "Văn hóa Hạ Long giai đoạn hậu kỳ thời đại đồ đá mới". vntravellive.com (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2023-05-31.
  7. Decree No. 837/NQ-UBTVQH14
  8. "Vietnam Institute for Building Science and Technology" (PDF).
  9. how24h, Hien (2024-03-19). "Essential Tips for Traveling to Ha Long (How24h.com)" (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-03-19.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  10. "Du lịch Nhà Thờ Hòn Gai – ngôi nhà thờ trên ngọn đồi cao". www.blog.mytour.vn. Retrieved 2023-03-30.
  11. Hạ Long's population and wards' population till 1/4/2009 Archived 2013-05-16 at the Wayback Machine, Website Hạ Long City .
  12. Hạ Long-tourist city, Hạ Long People's Committee and Hạ Long People's Council Published in 12/2003, page 40

External links

Cities in Vietnam
Municipalities
Special
Class-1
Municipal cities
Class-1
Class-3
Provincial cities
Class-1
Class-2
Class-3
District-level towns
Class-3
Class-4
Districts of Northeast region of Vietnam
Bắc Giang province
Bắc Kạn province
Cao Bằng province
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Lạng Sơn province
Phú Thọ province
Quảng Ninh province
Thái Nguyên province
Tuyên Quang province
denotes provincial seat.
Largest cities and municipalities in Vietnam
Source: 2019 Vietnamese census, National Assembly
Rank Name Province Pop. Rank Name Province Pop.
Ho Chi Minh City
Ho Chi Minh City
Hanoi
Hanoi
1 Ho Chi Minh City Municipality 8,993,082 11 Vinh Nghệ An 473,275 Haiphong
Haiphong
Cần Thơ
Cần Thơ
2 Hanoi Municipality 8,053,663 12 Thanh Hóa Thanh Hóa 436,833
3 Haiphong Municipality 2,028,514 13 Nha Trang Khánh Hòa 422,601
4 Cần Thơ Municipality 1,235,171 14 Buôn Ma Thuột Đắk Lắk 375,590
5 Da Nang Municipality 1,134,310 15 Tân Uyên Bình Dương 370,512
6 Huế Municipality 1,128,620 16 Vũng Tàu Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu 357,124
7 Biên Hòa Đồng Nai 1,055,414 17 Thái Nguyên Thái Nguyên 340,403
8 Thủ Đức Ho Chi Minh City 1,013,795 18 Thủy Nguyên Haiphong 333,810
9 Thuận An Bình Dương 596,227 19 Bắc Giang Bắc Giang 326,354
10 Dĩ An Bình Dương 474,681 20 Hạ Long Quảng Ninh 322,710
Vietnam Vietnam cities with a 200,000+ population
2,000,000 and more
1,000,000–1,999,999
500,000–999,999
200,000–499,999
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