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Bắc Ninh

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Bắc Ninh was a significant city located in northern Vietnam. The name of the city translates to "northern serenity." For many years, it served as the capital of the Bắc Ninh province. It functioned as a vital center for administration, culture, and commerce. The city covered a total area of 82.60 square kilometers. According to 2019 data, the population was 247,702 people. However, the city's status changed recently. Following a reorganization of district-level units in Vietnam, Bắc Ninh ceased to exist as a municipal city on 1 July 2025.

The history of the city includes many periods of conflict and change. In March 1884, the town was the site of a major campaign. This occurred during wars between France and various Black Flag Army forces. During this time, the French took control of the town. Later, the town became a center for French colonial administration. The French occupied the land of the Bắc Ninh Citadel. This area included the villages of Yên, Niem, and Do. The town also became a hub for political, economic, and cultural offices under the French protectorate.

Bắc Ninh became quite famous in Europe for its high-quality craftsmanship. Local artisans were skilled at producing lacquer work. They also created beautiful items using mother-of-pearl inlay. These decorations were applied to native black-wood surfaces. Examples of this work included screens, cabinets, trays, and boxes. These handsome specimens were highly regarded by people in Europe. The town was considered the true home of this specific type of artistic work.

The mid-20th century brought further periods of tension to the region. In 1946, an ambush occurred involving the Việt Minh. This event took place on August 4, while the Fontainebleau Conference was ongoing. The ambush targeted French troops and resulted in 12 deaths and 41 injuries. Other reports noted fighting in the streets of the town. This conflict involved French troops and Annamite forces. These battles took place about 19 miles north-east of Hanoi.

Infrastructure and education played large roles in the city's identity. The Bắc Ninh Railway Station opened after 1904. The city was also home to several important educational institutions. These included the Banking Academy of Vietnam, Bắc Ninh campus. The Kinh Bắc International School was another notable location. Additionally, the city housed the main campus of the Military Academy of Politics. There is also a well-known shrine dedicated to Bà Chúa Kho. This shrine, known as the Granary or Treasury Queen, grew in popularity as Vietnam transitioned to a market economy.

Administratively, the city was divided into 19 distinct urban wards, or "phường." These units included Đáp Cầu, Hạp Lĩnh, and Khắc Niệm. Other wards were Phong Khê, Khúc Xuyên, and Thị Cầu. The list also included Vũ Ninh, Suối Hoa, and Tiền An. Other wards were Ninh Xá, Vân Dương, Vạn An, and Vệ An. The final wards were Kinh Bắc, Đại Phúc, Võ Cường, Hoà Long, Kim Chân, and Nam Sơn. The business environment was also monitored through the Provincial Competitiveness Index. In 2023, the province received a score of 67.53. This followed a score of 69.08 in 2022. The 2023 score showed high marks for "Entry Costs" and "Time Costs."

Several notable people were born in or are connected to Bắc Ninh. The singer Tùng Dương was born in 1983. Mai Duong Kieu, born in 1987, acts in German television and films. The painter Tôn Đức Lượng lived from 1925 to 2023. The singer Hòa Minzy, born Nguyễn Thị Hoà in 1995, is also from this area. She released a music video titled "Bắc Bling" in 2025. This video served as a tribute to her hometown. These individuals represent the diverse cultural contributions of the region.

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