Natural and Social Conditions

Natural and Social Conditions

Geography:

Nam Định province features relatively flat terrain, primarily consisting of low-lying plains and coastal plains. The northwestern part of the province is dotted with a few low hills, such as Bảo Đài, Ngô Xá (also known as Thương Sơn, Mai Sơn in Ý Yên), Côi Sơn (also called Gôi Mountain), Non Côi, Hổ Sơn, Kim Bảng now Kim Thái, and Trang Nghiêm or Ngăm Mountain (Vụ Bản). Streams often flow around the foot of these hills, creating picturesque landscapes. Non Côi and Vị River are renowned landmarks of Nam Định, recognized nationwide. The province boasts a 72 km coastline stretching from Ba Lạt estuary to Đáy estuary, with some areas featuring smooth, sloping sandy beaches suitable for tourism and beach recreation.

Climate:

Nam Định has the typical characteristics of a tropical monsoon climate, marked by hot, humid weather and abundant rainfall. Average temperature ranges from 23–24°C, with humidity levels between 80–85%. The province enjoys about 250 sunny days annually, amounting to 1650–1700 sunshine hours. Average annual rainfall is 1750–1800 mm, with the rainy season lasting from May to October and the dry season from November to February. Average wind speed is 2–2.3 m/s. Being located in the Gulf of Tonkin, Nam Định is often affected by typhoons or tropical depressions, averaging 4–6 typhoons per year, typically from July to October.

Hydrology:

Nam Định lies between the lower basins of the two major rivers of the Red River Delta: the Red River and the Đáy River. The Red River enters Nam Định in Mỹ Trung commune, Mỹ Lộc district, flows through Nam Định city and the districts of Nam Trực, Trực Ninh, Xuân Trường, and Giao Thủy before emptying into the East Sea at Ba Lạt estuary, forming a natural northeastern border with Thái Bình province. The Đáy River enters Nam Định at Yên Phương commune, Ý Yên district, flows through Nghĩa Hưng district, and empties into the sea at Đáy estuary, marking the natural boundary between Nam Định and Ninh Bình. The sedimentary deposits from these rivers, combined with the tidal regime, have formed large coastal alluvial plains, including Cồn Lu, Cồn Ngạn (Giao Thủy), and Cồn Trời, Cồn Mờ (Nghĩa Hưng). Smaller rivers and tributaries, such as the Đào River (dividing northern and southern Nam Định), Ninh Cơ River, and Sò River (also called Ngô Đồng River), further enrich the province's hydrological network.

Flora and Fauna:

As of 2019, Vietnam's total forested area was approximately 14.6 million hectares, accounting for 45.5% of the country's land area. This includes nearly 10.3 million hectares of natural forests and 4.3 million hectares of planted forests. The province's biodiversity accounts for about 50% of the country's plant species and 40% of its animal species.

Population:

As of 2023, Nam Định had a total population of 1,887,099 people, with an average population density of 1,131 people/km². The majority of residents are ethnic Kinh, primarily practicing Buddhism and Catholicism. The highest population density was recorded in Xuân Trường district (1,419 people/km²), while the lowest was in Nghĩa Hưng district (717 people/km²). Nam Định city, as the urban center, had a population density of 5,414 people/km², reflecting its status as the province's most densely populated area.

Economy:

Nam Định is a key agricultural and food production area in the Red River Delta, as well as an early hub of industrial production, particularly in traditional crafts. It is one of the nation's leading textile and garment centers. In the first quarter of 2024, Nam Định's Gross Regional Domestic Product (GRDP) grew by 7.07% overall, with agriculture, forestry, and fisheries increasing by 2.04%, industry and construction by 10.76%, and services by 7.01%. The economic structure for this period consisted of Agriculture-Forestry-Fisheries (16.57%), Industry-Construction (41.78%), and Services (38.25%), with taxes on products minus subsidies making up 3.40%. The province demonstrated strong financial performance, with total state budget revenue reaching 5,795 billion VND, an increase of 30.1% compared to the same period in the previous year, while expenditures amounted to 5,189 billion VND, up by 8.9%. The banking sector saw outstanding loans grow by 9.0%, reaching 101,360 billion VND, and total mobilized capital increased by 12.9%, reaching 123,230 billion VND. These figures highlight Nam Định's continued economic development and its significant contributions to the regional and national economy.

Transportation Infrastructure:

Roads:

• National Highway 21: From Hòa Bình through Phủ Lý to Nam Định city, extending to Hải Thịnh port (75 km within Nam Định).
• National Highway 10: From Quảng Yên through Hải Phòng, Thái Bình, Nam Định, and Ninh Bình (34 km in Nam Định).
• Various provincial roads, such as Provincial Road 12 (20 km), Provincial Road 57 (17 km), and Provincial Road 55 (51 km), connect major localities.

Railways: The North-South railway passes through Nam Định for 42 km, with stations including Nam Định Station (a stop for express trains), and stations like Cầu Họ, Đặng Xá, Trình Xuyên, Gôi, and Cát Đằng.

Waterways: The province's network of rivers (Red River, Đáy River, Ninh Cơ River) covers 251 km, supported by Nam Định's river ports and Thịnh Long seaport, facilitating water transport development.

Source:

1. General Statistics Office of Vietnam. (2021). The role of afforestation combined to protect natural forests for sustainable development. Retrieved from https://www.gso.gov.vn/en/data-and-statistics/2021/03/the-role-of-afforestation-combined-to-protect-natural-forests-for-sustainable-development/

2. General Statistics Office of Nam Định. (2023). Niên giám thống kê tỉnh Nam Định 2023 [Statistical Yearbook of Nam Định Province 2023]. Retrieved from https://www.namdinh.gso.gov.vn/uploads/An-pham/nien_giam_2023/

3. General Statistics Office of Nam Định. (2024). Infographic: Kinh tế - xã hội tỉnh Nam Định quý I năm 2024 [Infographic: Nam Định Province Socio-Economic Situation in Q1 2024]. Retrieved from https://www.namdinh.gso.gov.vn/infographic/infographic-kinh-te-xa-hoi-tinh-nam-dinh-quy-i-nam-2024-1078.html