Thanh Hóa is the capital of Thanh Hóa Province. The city is situated in the east of the province on the Ma River, about 150 kilometers south of Hanoi and 1560 kilometers north of Ho Chi Minh City. Thanh Hoa became one of the most populous cities in North Central Coast after expanding in 2012, with a population of approximately 400,000. Thanh Hoa township was upgraded to Thanh Hoa City in 1994 and has been the historical center of politics, economy, culture, education and entertainment of Thanh Hóa Province.
Overview
Thanh Hoa is a new developing city although its central position was established a long time ago. Nowadays, provincial administrators are trying to build and gentrify the city so that its important role for the whole province and even North Central Coast is emphasised.
History
The Thanh Hóa town and region were an area of popular support for Lê Lợi and the Lê dynasty in the 1580s, leading to the reestablishment of the southern court near the town following the withdrawal of Ming dynasty armies. After 1945 the city was a stronghold of the Viet Minh. In January 1946 the Viet Minh transported all local cells of the VNQDD to the city. During the Vietnam War, US strategic bombing destroyed much of the buildings and infrastructure, the whole city has been totally rebuilt since then.
Geography
Topography
Thanh Hoa city is located in centre of Thanh Hoa's plain with many scattered rocky mountains surround. There are two main mountains along the city: Hàm Rồng and Mật Sơn. Hàm Rồng mountain begins from Thiệu Dương commune, which is about 8 km from city centre, along the right bank of the Ma River to Hàm Rồng Thanh Hóa Bridge pier. Ham Rong mountain has 99 peaks and had become an entrench for air defensive in Operation Rolling Thunder. Ma River is the longest river flow through the city, meandering around Ham Rong mountain before flowing to South East Asian sea. In addition, there are 5 canals were dug in order to support for watering, drought and flooding.
Climate
Temperature
In region of tropical monsoon climate, Thanh Hoa city has four seasons with two distinctive hot and cold atmospheres in a year.
The hot season: Beginning in late spring to mid-autumn, weather is extreme heat with sunny and sometime Foehn wind. The highest temperature may reach over 40 degrees Celsius. In this period, flood and drought occur frequently.
The cold season: Beginning in November to the end of March the following year. The atmosphere is mostly cloudy and dried with cold monsoon from Northeast direction. The lowest temperature may down to 5 degrees Celsius
Annual temperature is between 23.3 °C and 23.6 °C.
Monsoon
Thanh Hoa city is located in coast region so it is affected by three seasonal winds, which are mainly referred to distinctive wind directions.
Northeast direction wind: Blowing from Siberia, and usually comes in January. The winds causes the coldest period of winter.
Foehn wind: Blowing from Bengal passing on Laos to North Central Coast Vietnam. Thus, it's called "Gió Lào" in Vietnamese referred to the wind from Laos direction. The wind occurs in summer, normally July or August and causes the hottest atmosphere in a year.
Southeast direction wind : Blowing from sea and occurring in Summer. At the heat of hot season, the winds brings fresh atmosphere to land and cool down temperature
By the time 2012, Thanh Hoa city had 12 inner wards and 6 outer communes. After expansion in February 2012, the city merged some subdivisions from other nearby districts and that extended total of urban subdivisions up to 37. Thanh Hoa city currently has 20 inner wards and 17 outer communes.
20 Inner Wards
Area
Population
Density
17 Outer Communes
Area
Population
Density
An Hoạch
2.55
5,953
2,335
Ðông Hưng
4.36
3,723
854
Ba Ðình
0.7
12,383
16,852
Ðông Lĩnh
8.83
9,026
1,022
Ðiện Biên
0.68
9,719
14,293
Ðông Tân
4.51
7,401
124
Ðông Thọ
3.64
13,902
3,809
Ðông Vinh
4.38
3,347
764
Ðông Cương
6.8
16,800
1,313
Hoằng Anh
3.49
4,100
1,175
Ðông Hải
6.84
16,100
2,354
Hoàng Ðại
4.67
4,902
910
Ðông Hương
3.37
17,000
5,045
Hoằng Long
2.29
2,571
1,123
Ðông Sơn
0.84
9,622
11,154
Hoằng Lý
2.9
3,063
1,056
Ðông Vệ
4.78
16,107
3,370
Hoằng Quang
6.28
6,098
971
Hàm Rồng
4.18
5,022
1,201
Quảng Cát
6.9
5,004
790
Lam Sơn
0.86
12,676
14,740
Quảng Ðông
6.6
5,089
780
Nam Ngạn
1.58
8,475
5,363
Quảng Phú
6.6
7,054
1,120
Ngọc Trạo
0.54
11,183
20,709
Quảng Tâm
3.7
9,619
2,710
Phú Sơn
1.93
8,453
4,380
Quảng Thành
5.6
7,918
1,512
Quảng Hưng
5.73
7,236
1,263
Thiệu Dương
5.66
9,604
1,706
Quảng Thành
8.49
20,000
2,356
Thiệu Khánh
5.38
9,577
1,790
Quảng Thắng
3.55
5,927
1,670
Thiệu Vân
3.7
5,861
1,620
Tào Xuyên
2.75
6,520
2,965
Total of Communes
85.85
103,127
1,202
Tân Sơn
0.78
11,114
14,249
-
-
-
-
Trường Thi
0.86
11,926
13,867
-
-
-
-
Total of Wards
61.45
226,118
3,680
-
-
-
-
Note: Area: km2; Density: People/km2 After expansion, Thanh Hoa city's population had rise up from 207,698 to 406,550 people. According to urban development plan in 2012, the estimated population will be approximate 1 million in 2030 with 800,000 urban people.
Economy
According statistic in 2013, GDP sector composition of the city's economy:
Agricultural sector: 7.6%
Industrial sector: 46%
Service sector: 46.4%
Annual economic growth rate is 15%. Total of capital development fund estimated 12,665 thousand billion VND, export volume estimated 504 million USD. State budgets revenue is 1,436 thousand billion VND. GDP per capital is 3,930 USD. Currently, there are three industrial regions locally:
Le Mon industrial region: Is situated in the east and 5 km from city centre. The industrial hub was established in 2005 with planned scale 87 hectare. Main industries concentrate on high-tech applications, manufacturing and processing raw materials within province, agricultural, forestry and fishery, mechanical assembly, electronic and telecommunication devices,... Some FDI organizations invested and operate are Sunjade company, Sakura company, Yotsuba Dress company, Vinamilk,...
Dinh Huong industrial region: Is located 2 km from north city centre.
Transportation
As central position of province, Thanh Hoa city is the heart of transport network, where every essential transportation modes are aggregated such as North–South Railway, National Route 1A, National Route 47, buses system and many other provincial routes. Le Mon port is situated beside Ma River and 4 km from city centre east. This river port supports and provides transportation for Le Mon industrial region. In February 2013, Tho Xuan Airport, which is located 45 km to the east from city, was implemented and upgrade to turn into a mixed civilian/military airport. This airport became the place provide air transport services for Thanh Hoa city.
