Cao Bằng province
Cao Bằng province
Tỉnh Cao Bằng 省高平 | |
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ICT) | |
Area codes | 206 |
ISO 3166 code | VN-04 |
Website | www |
Cao Bằng (高平,
The area has a rich history tracing to the Bronze Age Tây Âu (西甌) Kingdom of the ethnic
History
Cao Bằng's history can be traced to the
Cao Bằng's proximity to China has meant that it has had a somewhat turbulent history, having changed hands a number of times. What are now the provinces of Cao Bằng and Lạng Sơn were known as châu Quảng Nguyên during the time of the Lý and Trần Dynasties. Quảng Nguyên became part of
At the end of the 14th century, Tày lords dynasties ruled the area, such as Bế Khắc Thiệu and Nga Dac Thai. In the 1430s, the Lê Dynasty had many rebellions. Royalty faced strong revolt during the 16th and early part of the 17th century –
Cao Bằng has a long history of revolutionaries and nationalists. The significant history of the peninsula to the present regime is recorded from the 1920s when it became the "cradle of the revolutionary movement in the north". Many pro-independence groups based themselves in the mountains. The
In 1950, the province had 10 districts: Bảo Lạc, Hạ Lang, Hòa An, Nguyên Bình, Phú Thạch, Phục Hòa, Quảng Uyên, Thạch An, Trấn Biên and Trùng Khánh. In 1958, Trấn Biên was renamed Trà Lĩnh. The district of Thông Nông was created out of part of the district of Hà Quảng by Decision 67-CP on 7 April 1966. The districts of Phục Hòa and Quảng Uyên were merged to become Quảng Hòa by Decision 27-CP on 8 March 1967. The district of Hạ Lang was abolished and integrated into the districts of Quảng Hòa and Trùng Khánh by Decision 176-CP on 15 September 1969.[5][6]
In December 1978, the two districts of
On 27 February 1979, during the
Geography
Cao Bằng province located in the northern part of the country has borders with
The geographical setting of the province is mostly mountainous, with land available for habitation thus being limited. The average temperature reported in the province is 22 °C (72 °F). Winter temperatures in some areas occasionally experience freezing conditions and some amount of snowfall. The
The Peninsular valley of Cao Bằng province is formed between the Bằng Giang and Hien rivers. The two rivers confluence to the northwest of the town. In the war with China the town was damaged in 1979 and has been since rebuilt. The market in Cao Bằng town is believed to be the largest in Vietnam.[10] Cao Bằng town is located on Highway 3 and is 270 kilometres (170 mi) from Hanoi. The road from Nao Pac to Cao Bằng passes through the Cao Bắc Pass. Since the elevation of the town is 300 metres (980 ft) it has a salubrious temperate climate throughout the year.[10]
Climate
Month | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Year |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Mean daily maximum °C (°F) | 18 (64) |
19 (66) |
23 (73) |
27 (81) |
31 (88) |
32 (90) |
32 (90) |
32 (90) |
31 (88) |
27 (81) |
24 (75) |
20 (68) |
26 (80) |
Mean daily minimum °C (°F) | 10 (50) |
12 (54) |
16 (61) |
19 (66) |
23 (73) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
24 (75) |
22 (72) |
19 (66) |
15 (59) |
11 (52) |
18 (65) |
Average rainfall mm (inches) | 22 (0.9) |
26 (1.0) |
39 (1.5) |
91 (3.6) |
174 (6.9) |
229 (9.0) |
224 (8.8) |
249 (9.8) |
150 (5.9) |
91 (3.6) |
44 (1.7) |
20 (0.8) |
1,359 (53.5) |
Average rainy days | 10 | 10 | 12 | 14 | 15 | 17 | 18 | 19 | 14 | 12 | 9 | 8 | 158 |
Mean monthly sunshine hours | 62 | 56 | 93 | 120 | 186 | 150 | 186 | 186 | 180 | 155 | 120 | 124 | 1,618 |
Source: World Climate Guide |
Demographics
The province of Cao Bằng is home to many people belonging to
According to the General Statistics Office of the Government of Vietnam, the population of Cao Bằng province as of 2019 was 530,341 with a density of 79 persons per km2 over a total land area of 6,700.26 square kilometres (2,586.98 sq mi). It is one of the least populated provinces in the northern midlands and mountain areas of Vietnam.[11] The male population during this period was 265,620 while the female population was 264,721. The rural population was 406,934 against an urban population of 123,407 (about 30% of the rural population).[2]
There are more than 40 ethnic groups in Hà Giang recognized by the Vietnamese government. Each ethnicity has their own language, traditions, and subculture. The largest ethnic groups are: Tày (40.84%), Nùng (29.81%), Mông (11.65%), Dao (10.36%), Vietnamese[12] (5.12%). Others accounted for the remaining 2.22%.[2]
Languages spoken in Cao Bằng province include the following.
- Hmong-Mien languages
- Hmong
- Kim Mun
- Tai languages
- Tày Bảo Lạc - Bảo Lạc District
- Tày Trùng Khánh - Trùng Khánh District
- Nùng An - Quảng Uyên District
- Nùng Giang - Hà Quảng District
- Giáy - Bảo Lạc District
- Tày Bảo Lạc -
- Kra languages
- En (Nùng Vên) - Hà Quảng District
- En (Nùng Vên) -
- Tibeto-Burman languages
- Black Lolo - Bảo Lạc District
- Black Lolo -
Administrative divisions
Cao Bằng is subdivided into 10 district-level sub-divisions and 161 commune-level sub-divisions.
Subdivisions of Cao Bằng | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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Economy
Cao Bằng is relatively poor compared to other Vietnamese provinces. Most of the province's economy is centered on agriculture and forestry, although other industries exist. Facilities such as schools and hospitals tend to be in poor condition, but are gradually improving. Transportation, once a major problem, has been improved considerably by new road construction.
As against the national figure of 7,592 of Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery cooperatives there are only 4 cooperatives in the province; all are agricultural cooperatives.[13][14] There are only 57 farms compared to the national total of 120,699.[15]
The output value of agriculture produce at constant 1994 prices in the province was 676.6 billion đồngs against the national value of 156,681.9 billion đồngs.[16] In 1994 the province produced 151,800 tonnes of cereals compared to the national production of 229.1 million tonnes [17] The per capita production of cereals in the district was 448.6 kg as against the national figure of 501.8 kg in 2007.[18] In 2007, the industrial output of the province was a meagre 571.8 billion đồngs against the national output of 1.47 million billion đồngs.[19]
Attractions
As the province is in the region where the Vietnamese people lived thousands of years ago before their southwards expansion, Cao Bằng has several points of historical interest as well as many natural features.
- Pác Bó
Pác Bó, located at the mouth of the confluence of two rivers, namely the Bằng Giang and Hien rivers. Its historicity is due to the fact that Hồ Chí Minh, on his return from China (where he had lived for 30 years) on 28 January 1941, established a revolutionary force at a cave near Pác Bó valley inhabited by the Nùng tribes. He organized the revolutionary movement by training the cadres, translated the History of the Communist Party in the USSR into the Vietnamese language and also edited a revolutionary newspaper called the 'Independent Vietnam' from Pác Bó. The Vietnam Independence League (Việt Nam Độc Lập Đồng Minh Hội), known by its short form as
- Kỳ Sầm Temple
Kỳ Sầm Temple was built as a memorial at Nùng village (200 metres (660 ft) east of Highway 203) of Ngan in honour of Nùng Trí Cao, Nùng Lord of Quảng Uyên for organizing the ethnic minority revolt in the 11th century against the Vietnamese monarchy. The first effort at rebellion against the King Lý Thái Tông was started by Nùng Trí Cao's father, Nùng Tồn Phúc, and elder brother, Nùng Trí Thông. This failed and both were caught and executed. Two years later Cao mobilised a rebellion army and captured the territory and declared himself as the king of the Nùng Kingdom and named it as Dai Lich. However, this occupancy was short-lived as he was captured by Viet forces. He was, however, let go by the King and allowed to return to Quảng Uyên. Six years later he again launched a rebellion against the king in 1048 and captured the territory in southern China and declared himself as the "Emperor of Đại Nam." His kingdom survived for 5 years by the manipulation of the King of China and the King of Viet. However, in 1053 the Vietnamese king Lý Thái Tông captured Cao and executed him. The temple built in his honour, though ancient, is now a refurbished monument (renovated in the 19th century) consisting of two buildings. The outer building has the altar of one of his generals and the inner shrine housed the images of Cao, his wife and his mother till they were stolen a few years ago. An inscription still seen here narrates Cao's war exploits and his avowed commitment to the cause of his nation.[21]
- Coi Binh Church
Coi Binh Church is one of the three churches that were built in 1906 by the French; the other two are at Cao Bằng and That Khe. Except for the Vicar's house the rest of the residential buildings around the church were destroyed in 1979. The vicarage is now the venue of "Cao Bằng region's most famous apiaries".[22]
- Mạc King's Temple
Mạc King's Temple is the 16th-century palace of the Mạc Dynasty. It is located on a hill top above the Làng Đến (meaning the "Temple Village"). It is located on the west bank of the Dau Gen River, which is a tributary of the Bằng Giang River. The construction of this palace is credited to a general of the Lê Army in 1521–1522 after he forcibly dethroned the 11 year King Lê Chiêu Tông, exiled him and installed his brother Lê Thung as the king. However, two years later Lê Chiêu Tông was reinstalled as the King of Đại Việt. The Mạc Dynasty then ruled for 65 years. The Lê dynasty continued to fight the Mạc Kings and finally succeeded in regaining power in 1592 for a short time with the help of the powerful Trịnh family. A nephew of Mạc Mậu Hợp took control of Cao Bằng and three generations of his family ruled for 75 years till the armies of the Trịnh family captured Cao Bằng in 1667. The small palace building has cannons placed near the main entrance even now.[22]
Nature
Cao Bằng, which lies on the Quây Sơn River, in Ngọc Khê commune, in Trùng Khánh district, has many mountains, forests, rivers and springs throughout. The area near Bản Doc Waterfall is a well-known scenic tourist site. The city of Cao Bằng has many buildings of World War II vintage of French design, which were in ruins, but have since been rebuilt. There is an 'Exhibition Centre' in the town where the history of the revolutionary struggle in Vietnam, which originated in this province, is displayed along with Hồ Chí Minh's vintage car, bearing the registration number "BAC 808".[10]
- Bản Giốc waterfall
The Bản Giốc waterfall area at the Vietnam-China border is stated to be "among areas having a borderline defined on rivers and streams". It has been clarified by the Head of the Border Committee that the borderline of the fall shall be as fixed along the median of the main flow which shall be done jointly by both sides.[24] Even though in Vietnam the two falls are considered as one fall with the name Bản Giốc, the physical fact is that the waterfall is named under two ownership divisions namely, "Detian - Banyue Falls" (Chinese: 德天瀑布 & 板約瀑布) or "Bản Giốc Falls" (Vietnamese: thác Bản Giốc).[Note 1][25]
This water fall is the 4th largest
- Thang Hen Mountain lake
Thang Hen Mountain lake, in Trà Lĩnh district, consists of 36 small natural lakes located on the top of a hill at 1,000 metres (3,300 ft). The lakes have been created in limestone formations and some of them flow out as steams. An unusual feature of the lakes is that their water level fluctuates like the tides of the seas, which phenomenon is attributed to the springs of water emerging from artesian wells in limestone formations. The lakes flow through the river, which eventually becomes the Bản Giốc waterfall.[23]
- God's Eye Mountain
Located in Quoc Toan Commune, Trà Lĩnh district, the Eye of God Mountain is a prominent tourist destination at the Non Nuoc Cao Bang UNESCO Global Geopark.[27]
Gallery
Notes
- ^ The two falls have separate names in Chinese: Dé Tiān=德天=Đức Thiên;Bǎn Yuē=板約=Bản Giốc. However, in Vietnamese, the two falls are considered as two parts of one waterfall with the sole name Bản Giốc.
References
- ^ "Phê duyệt và công bố kết quả thống kê diện tích đất đai của cả nước năm 2018" [Announcements of area statistics for the whole country in 2018]. Act No. 2908/QĐ-BTNMT of November 13, 2019 (in Vietnamese). Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Vietnam). Archived from the original on 2021-04-16. Retrieved 2021-03-28. Archived 2021-04-16 at the Wayback Machine - the data in the report are in hectares, rounded to integers
- ^ ISBN 978-604-75-1532-5.
- ^ Also called Kinh people
- ^ "Tình hình kinh tế, xã hội Cao Bằng năm 2018". Đài truyền hình tỉnh Cao Bằng. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
- ^ ISBN 0-313-29622-7. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
- ^ a b c d e "Cao Bang Province". Cambodia Travel Key and Foot Print Vietnam. Retrieved 2010-08-30.
- ^ Boobbyer, pp. 133–135
- ^ "Chinese Invasion of Vietnam, February 1979". Global Security.org. Retrieved 2010-08-27.
- ^ a b "Geography". Museum of Learning. Retrieved 2010-06-28.
- ^ ISBN 978-1-906098-13-1. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
- ^ "Population and population density in 2008 by province". General Statistics Office of the Government of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ Also called Kinh people
- ^ "Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery: Number of cooperatives by province". Population and Employment :General Statistics Office of the Government of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "Number of cooperatives in 2008 by kind of activity and by province: Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery". Population and Employment: General Statistics Office of the Government of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery: Number of farms by province". Population and Employment: General Statistics Office of the Government of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery :Output value of agriculture at constant 1994 prices". Population and Employment: General Statistics Office of the Government of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery:Production of cereals by province". Population and Employment: General Statistics Office of the Government of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "Agriculture, Forestry and Fishery: Production of cereals per capita by province". Population and Employment: General Statistics Office of the Government of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 2009-11-13. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ "Industry: Industrial output value at current prices by province". Population and Employment: General Statistics Office of the Government of Vietnam. Archived from the original on 2009-08-31. Retrieved 2010-06-23.
- ^ Boobbyer, pp. 135–136
- ^ Boobbyer, p. 134
- ^ a b Boobbyer, p. 135
- ^ a b "Cao Bang - the land of mountains and water". English Vietnamvnet. Archived from the original on March 1, 2009. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
- ^ "On the settlement of Vietnam-China border issue". Vietnam Embassy. 2002-09-16. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
- ^ "Cao Bằng". triphanoi.com. Retrieved 2007-02-12.
- ^ "Ban Gioc Waterfall – the largest one in Vietnam!". Vietnam Beauty.com. Retrieved 2010-07-02.
- ^ "God's Eye Mountain in Cao Bang". Vietnamnet Global. 2023-03-18. Archived from the original on 2023-12-27. Retrieved 2024-03-08.
- Cœdès, George. (1966). The Making of South East Asia (illustrated, reprint ed.). University of California Press. ISBN 0520050614. Retrieved 7 August 2013.
External links
- [1] (English version)