The ceremony on Sunday celebrate Quảng Bình Province's 420th founding anniversary (1604 - 2024), 75 years since the province’s uprising against French colonialists (July 15, 1949), and 35 years since its re-establishment (July 1, 1989). — VNA/VNS Photo

QUẢNG BÌNH — The central province of Quảng Bình held a ceremony in the presence of Prime Minister Phạm Minh Chính Sunday night to celebrate its 420th founding anniversary (1604 - 2024), 75 years since the province’s uprising against French colonialists (July 15, 1949), and 35 years since its re-establishment (July 1, 1989).

Vũ Đại Thắng, member of the Party Central Committee, Secretary of the provincial Party Committee and head of the National Assembly deputies’ delegation of Quảng Bình, said this land was present in the administrative structure of Văn Lang, the first state in Việt Nam's history, under the name of “Bộ Việt Thương”. In 1604, after deciding to choose this area as the place for starting the territorial expansion to the South, Lord Nguyễn Hoàng merged administrative units under his rule and renamed the then Tiến Bình into Quảng Bình.

In his speech, PM Chính stressed the strategic location of Quảng Bình, which was a land of talents, an important area during many feudal dynasties, the start of Việt Nam's territory expansion to the South, and witnessed many ups and downs in history. It was also a confluence of many cultures in the country.

Highlighting the role of Quảng Bình in the resistance wars against France and the US, he said the massive uprising in the province on July 15, 1949, with simultaneous military, political, and economic attacks on the French colonialists, contributed to the entire nation’s victory. Meanwhile, Quảng Bình was the front of the North and the direct rear of the South in the fight against the US.

He hailed the province’s enormous achievements after nearly 50 years of national reunification, especially since its re-establishment 35 years ago, saying it has increasingly affirmed its important role and contributed more to national development.

Quảng Bình holds considerable chances to make breakthroughs and secure fair development in the central region, with focuses on the service sector, tourism, clean industry, renewable energy, processing, manufacturing, and hi-tech, eco-friendly and sustainable agriculture, according to the Government leader.

PM Chính asked the province to further tap into its distinctive potential, outstanding opportunities, competitive edges, and especially the cultural, historical, and human values.

In particular, he continued, efforts must be invested in building breakthrough mechanisms and policies to turn Quảng Bình into a centre of nature tourism and a world-level attractive destination that capitalises on advantages of this “kingdom of caves”, so that tourism is truly a spearhead sector contributing to sustainable socio-economic development and benefiting the local community.

The PM asked the province to step up developing human resources, science - technology, and innovation, considering this as the shortest and most efficient path to fast and sustainable development.

He also ordered developing transport infrastructure, attracting more investment, facilitating trade, promoting digital transformation and green transition, developing circular, knowledge-based and sharing economy, and fostering energy, AI and semiconductor sectors as well as other emerging ones.

It is important to make use of the local seaport, airport, and international border gates to turn Quang Binh into an important trading hub in the central region, he noted.

In addition, PM Chính demanded due attention be paid to ensuring social security, improving the quality of locals' material and spiritual lives, perfecting socio-economic infrastructure, better responding to natural disasters and climate change, and protecting the environment.

The leader also pointed out the need to enhance the corruption fight, the Party and political system building, and the formation of a lean, effective, and efficient administrative apparatus. — VNS