Tô Lâm Calls for Building Bắc Ninh into Modern City Rooted in Kinh Bắc Cultural Identity

Bắc Ninh, The Gulf Observer: General Secretary of the Communist Party of Việtnam Central Committee and President Tô Lâm has called for developing Bắc Ninh into a modern, green and liveable city while preserving its distinctive Kinh Bắc cultural identity.

He made the remarks at a ceremony in Bắc Ninh Province on Saturday to announce the National Assembly’s resolution establishing Bắc Ninh as a centrally governed city and to confer the First-class Labour Order on the province.

At the ceremony, Tô Lâm, on behalf of the Party and State leadership, presented National Assembly Resolution No. 39/2026/QH16 and the First-class Labour Order to the Party organisation, authorities and people of Bắc Ninh.

Addressing the gathering, the Party General Secretary and President described the occasion as particularly significant, marking a new chapter in the development of Kinh Bắc, a region known for its rich cultural heritage, revolutionary traditions, dynamism and creativity.

He said Bắc Ninh’s new status brought greater responsibilities toward its people and the country’s development, urging the city’s Party organisation and authorities to establish a long-term vision and a distinctive development model.

Bắc Ninh should clearly define its role over the next 20 to 30 years and chart a development path based on its strengths in industry, culture, human resources and regional connectivity, he said.

The city should pursue a modern development model that balances industry, services, ecology and quality of life while preserving its cultural identity. This vision, he stressed, must be translated into concrete plans, action programmes, timelines and clearly assigned responsibilities.

Tô Lâm said Bắc Ninh’s development should be reflected in its technological capabilities, the growing strength of domestic enterprises and an increasing share of value generated and retained locally, thereby creating greater added value and contributing more substantially to national development.

He also emphasised the need to organise development space effectively and build a green, smart, modern and liveable city. Bắc Ninh should be planned as an integrated whole, ensuring harmonious connections between industry, urban areas, services, agriculture, ecology and culture.

Priority should be given to regional connectivity infrastructure and preparations for connection with Gia Bình International Airport. The city should also invest appropriately in public transport, housing, schools, hospitals, parks and cultural facilities while promoting data-driven urban governance.

The President called for stronger measures to address pollution in industrial parks, craft villages and river basins, stressing that urbanisation should create a civilised, convenient, safe and liveable environment for residents.

He further called for a governance apparatus and contingent of officials commensurate with Bắc Ninh’s new status. The administration should be unified, scientific, streamlined, people-oriented and responsive, while officials should possess strategic vision, modern governance capabilities and the ability to turn ideas into practical results.

On human development, Tô Lâm said Bắc Ninh should align training with economic restructuring, business requirements and emerging technology sectors. He called for effective policies to attract and utilise engineers, experts, scientists and capable managers, with the aim of developing a workforce capable of mastering and creating new technologies.

The President also stressed the importance of integrating Kinh Bắc’s cultural heritage into modern life. Quan họ folk singing, Đông Hồ folk paintings, traditional craft villages, historical and cultural sites, educational traditions and community culture should be transformed into resources for cultural industries, tourism and creative sectors.

He called for continued improvements in livelihoods, welfare and social security, particularly through better education, healthcare, housing and essential services for workers and people in disadvantaged areas.

He also urged authorities to provide greater care for Vietnamese Heroic Mothers, revolutionary veterans, wounded and sick soldiers, families of fallen soldiers and other people who have rendered services to the country, while strengthening social security, supporting vulnerable groups and promoting balanced urban-rural development.

“People’s health, the environment and the future of generations to come must never be sacrificed for short-term growth,” he emphasised.

Speaking at the ceremony, Nguyễn Hồng Thái, member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Bắc Ninh municipal Party Committee, affirmed that the city would translate the directions of the Party General Secretary and President into concrete measures.

Thái said becoming a city was not the destination but the starting point of a new stage of development. Bắc Ninh aims to become a green, smart, modern, civilised and prosperous city imbued with Kinh Bắc cultural identity and make an active contribution to regional and national development.

Delegates at the ceremony also watched a documentary highlighting Bắc Ninh’s development process and outlining the city’s development orientation and vision through 2075.