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A number of towers built by the Cham are now significant tourist attractions in Bình Định. The province's Tây Sơn district is also famous as the starting place of the Tây Sơn Uprising (and thus the Tây Sơn Dynasty). The Quang Trung Museum commemorates the event.
Sunday, June 12, 2011
Binh Dinh Infrastructure and Transport
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Transport Infrastructure
Binh Dinh’s infrastructure has been significant for its economic development. It has traditionally been the site of a major port and the intersection of two national roads has further increased Binh Dinh’s role as a gateway to the Central Highlands and access to the latter’s resources. As a result, the province has received one of the highest infrastructure scores in the Provincial Competitiveness Index 2009, second only to Da Nang in central Vietnam.[8]
Roads
There are national roads with a total length of 208 km and provincial roads a total length of 458.5 km.[9] National Road 1A runs through the province from north to south with a length of 118 km,[9] connecting the eastern districts of Hoài Nhơn, Phù Mỹ, Phù Cát, An Nhơn, and Tuy Phước to much of the rest of Vietnam. A branch of it - National Road 1D - connects the provincial capital Quy Nhon to 1A and Song Cau town in Phu Yen Province. 20 km of 1D’s 33 km are in Binh Dinh.[9] National Road 19 runs from Quy Nhon Port through northern Quy Nhon, the towns of Tuy Phuoc, Phu Phong to An Khe, Pleiku and Lệ Thanh border gate in Gia Lai Province.[10] This direct link from Quy Nhon to the Central Highlands and the border to Cambodia has been important for Binh Dinh’s role as a gateway to the highlands and its industrial development, since especially the wood processing and furniture industry has relied on raw materials from the highlands, Cambodia and Laos. 70 km of National Road 19 are located in Binh Dinh.[9]
74.6 per cent of roads in Binh Dinh (including national, provincial, and district roads) are paved, which is relatively good by Vietnamese standards and significantly above the median province with 51.44 per cent.[8] However, the assessment of road quality by the local business community is not very good, with only 34.76 per cent stating that roads are in good or very good condition.[8]
Road transport is by far the most important mode of transport within the province. It accounts for between 97 and just under 100 per cent of passenger and freight movements. 22.77 million passengers and 7928 tons of cargo were transported by road in 2009.[11]
Railways
The North-South Railway in Binh Dinh has a length of 134 km.[9] All Reunification Express trains stop at Dieu Tri Railway Station. Quy Nhon Railway Station is around 10 km east of the main railway. It is served by a daily train from Quy Nhon to Saigon Railway Station and a 3-times weekly train from Quy Nhon to Vinh Railway Station. Tam Quan Railway Station, located along North-South Railway in Hoài Nhơn District, is frequented by only a few trains, such as the train to Vinh.
Water Transport
Much of Côn River - almost up to the border in Vĩnh Thạnh District with Gia Lai Province - and a small stretch of Lai Giang River up to Bong Son town in Hoài Nhơn District are inland waterways and can be used for transportation.[10] There has been a significant change in the use of inland waterways away from passenger and towards freight traffic between 2006 and 2008. The number of passenger decreased from 113000 in 2006 to 42000 in 2007 and 7000 in 2008 and 2009, while freight transport on inland - apparently almost non-existent until 2008 - has accounted for 10 tons and around 70 tons.km in 2008 and 2009.[11] This is, however, still miniscule compared to other modes of transportation within the province. Maritime transport within the province has showed a declining trend in recent years and was at 171 tons and 31000 passengers in 2009.[11] The two main ports of the province - Quy Nhon Port and Thi Nai Port - are both located in Quy Nhon. In 2009 they had a combined freight turnover of 4500 tons, with 30856 tons handled by Quy Nhon port, including 2016 tons of exported goods[11] (mainly processed wood, furniture and stones). Thi Nai Port, in contrast, mostly handles domestic trade. The volume of cargoes handled has increased by more than 50 per cent between 2005 and 2009.[11]
Ownership Structure
While Vietnam Railways and the major seaports are owned and operated by the state sector, almost none of the local transport is state-run. Household businesses are dominant in the passenger sector, accounting for more than 70 per cent of passengers and passenger kilometers over the last few years - although their share has been decreasing.[11] The other traditionally significant enterprise form have been collective enterprises. Their share has been decreasing, too, while private sector participation has been increasing from a very low base since 2008. As of 2009, the share of the collective sector (11.8 per cent) is still slightly ahead of the private sector (11.6 per cent), but it has been clearly overtaken in terms of passenger.km, with shares of 5.4 and 23.3 per cent, respectively.[11] The freight transport sector is dominated by the household and private sector. While household businesses take the lead in freight volume (54.8 as compared to 41.4 per cent), private companies have a larger share if distance travelled (tons.km) is considered (50 as compared to 43.4 per cent). Both private and household businesses have been able to grow and increase their share in recent years, mainly at the expense of the declining collective sector.
Telecommunication
In 2009, there were 74.1 telephone subscribers per 100 inhabitants. The total number of subscriptions in the province was 1.1 million - a rapid increase from the 101,230 in 2005, most of which was contributed by mobile phones.[11] The calling time has also increased rapidly in the same period, from 53 to 488 million minutes.[11] The quality of telecommunications has received relatively good assessments, with 70.74 per cent of respondents to a survey stating that it is good or very good.[8] As of 2009, there were 28919 Internet subscribers in Binh Dinh, up from 18260 in 2008 and 8716 in 2006.[11] While telephones and Internet connections have become much more widespread, the number of letters and money telegrams sent has decreased 119000 in 2005 to 77421 in 2009 and telegrams services have been discontinued after 2007.[11]
Transport Infrastructure
Binh Dinh’s infrastructure has been significant for its economic development. It has traditionally been the site of a major port and the intersection of two national roads has further increased Binh Dinh’s role as a gateway to the Central Highlands and access to the latter’s resources. As a result, the province has received one of the highest infrastructure scores in the Provincial Competitiveness Index 2009, second only to Da Nang in central Vietnam.[8]
Roads
There are national roads with a total length of 208 km and provincial roads a total length of 458.5 km.[9] National Road 1A runs through the province from north to south with a length of 118 km,[9] connecting the eastern districts of Hoài Nhơn, Phù Mỹ, Phù Cát, An Nhơn, and Tuy Phước to much of the rest of Vietnam. A branch of it - National Road 1D - connects the provincial capital Quy Nhon to 1A and Song Cau town in Phu Yen Province. 20 km of 1D’s 33 km are in Binh Dinh.[9] National Road 19 runs from Quy Nhon Port through northern Quy Nhon, the towns of Tuy Phuoc, Phu Phong to An Khe, Pleiku and Lệ Thanh border gate in Gia Lai Province.[10] This direct link from Quy Nhon to the Central Highlands and the border to Cambodia has been important for Binh Dinh’s role as a gateway to the highlands and its industrial development, since especially the wood processing and furniture industry has relied on raw materials from the highlands, Cambodia and Laos. 70 km of National Road 19 are located in Binh Dinh.[9]
74.6 per cent of roads in Binh Dinh (including national, provincial, and district roads) are paved, which is relatively good by Vietnamese standards and significantly above the median province with 51.44 per cent.[8] However, the assessment of road quality by the local business community is not very good, with only 34.76 per cent stating that roads are in good or very good condition.[8]
Road transport is by far the most important mode of transport within the province. It accounts for between 97 and just under 100 per cent of passenger and freight movements. 22.77 million passengers and 7928 tons of cargo were transported by road in 2009.[11]
Railways
The North-South Railway in Binh Dinh has a length of 134 km.[9] All Reunification Express trains stop at Dieu Tri Railway Station. Quy Nhon Railway Station is around 10 km east of the main railway. It is served by a daily train from Quy Nhon to Saigon Railway Station and a 3-times weekly train from Quy Nhon to Vinh Railway Station. Tam Quan Railway Station, located along North-South Railway in Hoài Nhơn District, is frequented by only a few trains, such as the train to Vinh.
Water Transport
Much of Côn River - almost up to the border in Vĩnh Thạnh District with Gia Lai Province - and a small stretch of Lai Giang River up to Bong Son town in Hoài Nhơn District are inland waterways and can be used for transportation.[10] There has been a significant change in the use of inland waterways away from passenger and towards freight traffic between 2006 and 2008. The number of passenger decreased from 113000 in 2006 to 42000 in 2007 and 7000 in 2008 and 2009, while freight transport on inland - apparently almost non-existent until 2008 - has accounted for 10 tons and around 70 tons.km in 2008 and 2009.[11] This is, however, still miniscule compared to other modes of transportation within the province. Maritime transport within the province has showed a declining trend in recent years and was at 171 tons and 31000 passengers in 2009.[11] The two main ports of the province - Quy Nhon Port and Thi Nai Port - are both located in Quy Nhon. In 2009 they had a combined freight turnover of 4500 tons, with 30856 tons handled by Quy Nhon port, including 2016 tons of exported goods[11] (mainly processed wood, furniture and stones). Thi Nai Port, in contrast, mostly handles domestic trade. The volume of cargoes handled has increased by more than 50 per cent between 2005 and 2009.[11]
Ownership Structure
While Vietnam Railways and the major seaports are owned and operated by the state sector, almost none of the local transport is state-run. Household businesses are dominant in the passenger sector, accounting for more than 70 per cent of passengers and passenger kilometers over the last few years - although their share has been decreasing.[11] The other traditionally significant enterprise form have been collective enterprises. Their share has been decreasing, too, while private sector participation has been increasing from a very low base since 2008. As of 2009, the share of the collective sector (11.8 per cent) is still slightly ahead of the private sector (11.6 per cent), but it has been clearly overtaken in terms of passenger.km, with shares of 5.4 and 23.3 per cent, respectively.[11] The freight transport sector is dominated by the household and private sector. While household businesses take the lead in freight volume (54.8 as compared to 41.4 per cent), private companies have a larger share if distance travelled (tons.km) is considered (50 as compared to 43.4 per cent). Both private and household businesses have been able to grow and increase their share in recent years, mainly at the expense of the declining collective sector.
Telecommunication
In 2009, there were 74.1 telephone subscribers per 100 inhabitants. The total number of subscriptions in the province was 1.1 million - a rapid increase from the 101,230 in 2005, most of which was contributed by mobile phones.[11] The calling time has also increased rapidly in the same period, from 53 to 488 million minutes.[11] The quality of telecommunications has received relatively good assessments, with 70.74 per cent of respondents to a survey stating that it is good or very good.[8] As of 2009, there were 28919 Internet subscribers in Binh Dinh, up from 18260 in 2008 and 8716 in 2006.[11] While telephones and Internet connections have become much more widespread, the number of letters and money telegrams sent has decreased 119000 in 2005 to 77421 in 2009 and telegrams services have been discontinued after 2007.[11]
Binh Dinh Economy
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The major economic activities of Bình Định province are fisheries and agriculture. The manufacture of wood products is also significant - Bình Định has traditionally been known for supplying valuable exotic woods. Bình Định will complete Nhon Hoi economic zone in 2010. This is a very good chance to improve the local economy. Bình Định will be a centre of the middle in the future because it has a large port and a lot of advantages to develop industries.
The major economic activities of Bình Định province are fisheries and agriculture. The manufacture of wood products is also significant - Bình Định has traditionally been known for supplying valuable exotic woods. Bình Định will complete Nhon Hoi economic zone in 2010. This is a very good chance to improve the local economy. Bình Định will be a centre of the middle in the future because it has a large port and a lot of advantages to develop industries.
Binh Dinh Geography
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Topography
The majority of Binh Dinh province is covered by mountains or hills. Elevations range from 0 at the coast to around 1200 meters above sea level in An Lão District in the north-west of the province.[6] While most of the mountains as well as the highest peaks are in the west, there are mountains throughout the province, even near the coast. Most districts of Binh Dinh have a topography that is a mix of mountains or hills and lowlands. The districts of An Lão in the north-west, Vĩnh Thạnh in the west, and Vân Canh in the south-west are mostly mountainous. All other districts have some lowlands.
The largest lowland area is located in the south of the province along the lower Côn River. It encompasses much of Quy Nhon City, the districts of Tuy Phước, An Nhơn, the western part of Phù Cát, and the eastern part of Tây Sơn. Given its size, and the access to a major port as well as Binh Dinh's major river, it has long been the place where most of Binh Dinh's people and economic activities concentrate. It was the site of Vijaya, one of the major city-states of Champa. The majority Binh Dinh's population lives in the districts around this plain.
Other lowland areas are located in the coastal districts of Hoài Nhơn, Phù Mỹ, Phù Cát, as well as the inland district of Hoài Ân. There are some hills or mountains near the coast in all of the coastal provinces, with the highest peak in Phù Cát at 874m (Ba mountain, núi Bà) and in Phù Mỹ at 602m.[6]
Mountains form natural borders to the neighbouring provinces. Cu Mong pass (đèo Cù Mông) is the main border crossing to Phu Yen Province. National Road 1A passes through this pass, while there is another road (1D) along the coast. The border to Gia Lai Province is the most mountainous, with the only road connection at An Khe pass (đèo An Khê) between the towns of Phu Phong in Tây Sơn District and An Khe in Gia Lai. The border to Quang Ngai Province is also very mountainous, with the major road and railway passing through Binh De pass (đèo Bình Đê) near Tam Quan.[6]
Hydrography
Côn River is the largest and most important river in Binh Dinh. It forms a small delta north of Quy Nhon. Most of it can be used as an inland waterway for transportation. This is probably one of the reason why a major centre of power of Champa emerged along this river. Other rivers are Lai Giang River at the centre of the lowland areas of Hoai Nhon and Hoai An in northern Binh Dinh, My Cat River in central Binh Dinh, and Ha Thanh River along the valley in Van Canh District in southern Binh Dinh.[6]
The largest lake is Dinh Binh Lake, an artificial lake mainly used for irrigation in the highlands of western Binh Dinh. Also in western Binh Dinh is Vinh Son Lake (hồ Vĩnh Sơn) at Vinh Son Hydropower Station. Other major lakes include Nui Mot Lake (hồ Núi Một) in the south and Hoi Son Lake (hồ Hội Sơn) in the centre of the province.[6]
Mineral Resources
Ilmenite reserves in Phu Cat and graphite reserves in northern Binh Dinh are substantial and support significant local export industries. There is also some gold in western Binh Dinh.[7
Topography
The majority of Binh Dinh province is covered by mountains or hills. Elevations range from 0 at the coast to around 1200 meters above sea level in An Lão District in the north-west of the province.[6] While most of the mountains as well as the highest peaks are in the west, there are mountains throughout the province, even near the coast. Most districts of Binh Dinh have a topography that is a mix of mountains or hills and lowlands. The districts of An Lão in the north-west, Vĩnh Thạnh in the west, and Vân Canh in the south-west are mostly mountainous. All other districts have some lowlands.
The largest lowland area is located in the south of the province along the lower Côn River. It encompasses much of Quy Nhon City, the districts of Tuy Phước, An Nhơn, the western part of Phù Cát, and the eastern part of Tây Sơn. Given its size, and the access to a major port as well as Binh Dinh's major river, it has long been the place where most of Binh Dinh's people and economic activities concentrate. It was the site of Vijaya, one of the major city-states of Champa. The majority Binh Dinh's population lives in the districts around this plain.
Other lowland areas are located in the coastal districts of Hoài Nhơn, Phù Mỹ, Phù Cát, as well as the inland district of Hoài Ân. There are some hills or mountains near the coast in all of the coastal provinces, with the highest peak in Phù Cát at 874m (Ba mountain, núi Bà) and in Phù Mỹ at 602m.[6]
Mountains form natural borders to the neighbouring provinces. Cu Mong pass (đèo Cù Mông) is the main border crossing to Phu Yen Province. National Road 1A passes through this pass, while there is another road (1D) along the coast. The border to Gia Lai Province is the most mountainous, with the only road connection at An Khe pass (đèo An Khê) between the towns of Phu Phong in Tây Sơn District and An Khe in Gia Lai. The border to Quang Ngai Province is also very mountainous, with the major road and railway passing through Binh De pass (đèo Bình Đê) near Tam Quan.[6]
Hydrography
Côn River is the largest and most important river in Binh Dinh. It forms a small delta north of Quy Nhon. Most of it can be used as an inland waterway for transportation. This is probably one of the reason why a major centre of power of Champa emerged along this river. Other rivers are Lai Giang River at the centre of the lowland areas of Hoai Nhon and Hoai An in northern Binh Dinh, My Cat River in central Binh Dinh, and Ha Thanh River along the valley in Van Canh District in southern Binh Dinh.[6]
The largest lake is Dinh Binh Lake, an artificial lake mainly used for irrigation in the highlands of western Binh Dinh. Also in western Binh Dinh is Vinh Son Lake (hồ Vĩnh Sơn) at Vinh Son Hydropower Station. Other major lakes include Nui Mot Lake (hồ Núi Một) in the south and Hoi Son Lake (hồ Hội Sơn) in the centre of the province.[6]
Mineral Resources
Ilmenite reserves in Phu Cat and graphite reserves in northern Binh Dinh are substantial and support significant local export industries. There is also some gold in western Binh Dinh.[7
Binh Dinh History
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Champa
Main article: Vijaya (Champa)
Binh Dinh was probably one of the places where the Cham first arrived in what is now Vietnam.[1] Its favourable geography led to the rise of the Cham Port of Thi Nai where Quy Nhon is now located. The city-state of Vijaya was located around this port and the main city, which was further inland. Its centre was in the southern lowland of Binh Dinh. However, its architecture implies that it did not become important until the eleventh or twelfth century.[1]
Vijaya’s architecture also distinguishes it from other Champa centers, since it used a combination of stone and brick elements,[2] while most other Cham structures only used bricks. This suggests some influence from Cambodian Angkor.[2] It also points to the relative abundance of labour in Vijaya compared to other Champa centers of powers, because processing stones for construction was more labour-intensive than the production of bricks.[3]
Vijaya was involved various wars with neighbouring countries. Major wars were fought with Angkor (now Cambodia) in the 12th and 13th centuries. Around this time Vijaya seems to have been associated and at times even dominated by the Khmer king Jayavarman VII.[4] Major wars with Vietnam were fought in 1069 and again in the 15th century, which eventually led to the defeat of Vijaya and the demise of Champa in 1471.[5]
Champa
Main article: Vijaya (Champa)
Binh Dinh was probably one of the places where the Cham first arrived in what is now Vietnam.[1] Its favourable geography led to the rise of the Cham Port of Thi Nai where Quy Nhon is now located. The city-state of Vijaya was located around this port and the main city, which was further inland. Its centre was in the southern lowland of Binh Dinh. However, its architecture implies that it did not become important until the eleventh or twelfth century.[1]
Vijaya’s architecture also distinguishes it from other Champa centers, since it used a combination of stone and brick elements,[2] while most other Cham structures only used bricks. This suggests some influence from Cambodian Angkor.[2] It also points to the relative abundance of labour in Vijaya compared to other Champa centers of powers, because processing stones for construction was more labour-intensive than the production of bricks.[3]
Vijaya was involved various wars with neighbouring countries. Major wars were fought with Angkor (now Cambodia) in the 12th and 13th centuries. Around this time Vijaya seems to have been associated and at times even dominated by the Khmer king Jayavarman VII.[4] Major wars with Vietnam were fought in 1069 and again in the 15th century, which eventually led to the defeat of Vijaya and the demise of Champa in 1471.[5]
Binh Dinh Administration
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Bình Định is divided into 1 city (Qui Nhơn) and 10 districts:
An Lão
An Nhơn
Hoài Ân
Hoài Nhơn
Phù Cát
Phù Mỹ
Tuy Phước
Tây Sơn
Vân Canh
Vĩnh Thạnh
Bình Định is divided into 1 city (Qui Nhơn) and 10 districts:
An Lão
An Nhơn
Hoài Ân
Hoài Nhơn
Phù Cát
Phù Mỹ
Tuy Phước
Tây Sơn
Vân Canh
Vĩnh Thạnh
Binh Dinh Province
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Binh Dinh (in Vietnamese Bình Định pronunciation (help·info); Han Tu: 平定) is a province of Vietnam. It is located in Vietnam's South Central Coast region.
Binh Dinh (in Vietnamese Bình Định pronunciation (help·info); Han Tu: 平定) is a province of Vietnam. It is located in Vietnam's South Central Coast region.
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