Over the past fifty years, I have witnessed my beloved homeland undergo two administrative separations and mergers—each time, of course, driven by historical necessity. Now, as the government focuses on completing a plan to reorganize administrative boundaries by merging certain provinces to expand their jurisdiction in alignment with established criteria, conditions, historical traditions, and cultural heritage, this nationwide restructuring carries with it a profound sense of purpose, emotion, and, above all, renewed confidence.

A view of Da Nang City (left) and Tam Ky City, Quang Nam Province. Photo: Archival Material.

A new momentum growing exponentially

In 1976, during a conversation with officials from the second district (now Thanh Khe District), I still vividly recall the passionate words of Comrade Hong Quang, who was then Secretary of the District Party Committee. He said: “The merger of Quang Nam, Quang Da, and Da Nang was not simply about mechanically increasing land area and population. More importantly, it was about creating a new momentum—one that would multiply exponentially through this unification, forming the Quang Nam-Da Nang administrative unit.” I have listened to many speeches over the years, but none as compelling as those spoken by that small-statured yet eloquent secretary. His words were simple yet deeply persuasive. Half a century has passed, yet those heartfelt sentiments remain just as relevant today.

After the provincial merger in 1976, this region spent over twenty years as a major economic and agricultural force in the country. The vast Phu Ninh irrigation project brought much-needed water to long-parched fields in places like Dien Tho and Dai Loc, transforming them into fertile lands that yielded an astonishing 21 tons of rice per hectare—an achievement once thought impossible.

From struggling with food shortages, Quang Nam-Da Nang gradually overcame hunger. However, at best, the rural fields could only sustain the population through the lean season—they were never a path to prosperity. Cooperative farming became increasingly restrictive, while industry remained both technologically weak and constrained by outdated management policies. The gap between having enough to eat and achieving true prosperity felt as distant as the horizon. By the mid-1990s, the urgency for change had never been clearer.

In southern Vietnam, Da Nang was one of the most developed urban centers, second perhaps only to Ho Chi Minh City. However, in terms of healthcare and education benefits, it was still bound by the same per capita standards as a rural district. Meanwhile, Hoi An and Tam Ky, despite their enormous potential, remained little more than distant promises of opportunity. What was lacking was an administrative framework that could unlock new drivers of growth. Ultimately, life itself dictated an unavoidable decision: Quang Nam and Da Nang were separated into two centrally governed administrative units.

“As if there had never been a separation”

In 1997, on the day the province was officially divided, Comrade Nguyen Dinh An, then Chairman of the Vietnam Fatherland Front Committee of Quang Nam-Da Nang, delivered a deeply moving speech. His words resonated with profound meaning and emotion, touching everyone in attendance. In that defining moment, this man of culture invoked a verse by Nguyen My, reaffirming a shared sense of faith and unity: "As if there had never been a separation."

Few places possess a cultural, historical, and traditional flow as deeply intertwined as this land—a testament to a simple yet rare truth: separated, but never apart. Hon Kem belongs not only to the people of Quang Nam but also to those of Da Nang. The phrase "clouds shroud Son Tra" is not just a poetic reminder for the people of Tho Quang and Man Thai, but also for those in Tien Phuoc and Nui Thanh.

Nothing moves faster than time. It feels like only yesterday that Da Nang bid farewell to its sibling as it journeyed to Tam Ky—yet today, nearly thirty years have passed. And in that brief span, Da Nang and Quang Nam have together accomplished extraordinary things.

Numbers alone can never fully capture achievements, as satisfaction and progress are not always quantifiable. However, consider this: in 1996, the total budget revenue of Quang Nam-Da Nang Province was 1,200 billion VND, with Da Nang contributing over 1,000 billion and Quang Nam less than 200 billion. Yet, 28 years later, the figure for Quang Nam has grown to 27,000 billion VND—nearly on par with Da Nang. During that same period, Da Nang, once home to nearly 10% of households living in poverty, has now eradicated poverty entirely. Meanwhile, Quang Nam has reduced its poverty rate from approximately 24% to just around 2%.

Truong Hai has risen to become a leading automotive brand, while in a corner of an industrial park in Da Nang, ultra-small motors and aircraft components are rolling off production lines day and night, bringing pride to partners near and far. Both regions have firmly established themselves as dynamic economic hubs.

The world-class service quality of hotels in Da Nang and Hoi An has captivated the likes of Bill Gates and billionaires from around the globe. Da Nang has truly earned its reputation as a city worth living in.

Energizing our Quang homeland

It is widely understood that for development to thrive, one must first identify bottlenecks and then eliminate them as efficiently as possible. So, what is the critical roadblock hindering Vietnam’s progress? By now, there is broad consensus: the “bottleneck of all bottlenecks” lies in the administrative system itself. One of the most significant challenges is the overly complex and cumbersome bureaucracy. Despite having a land area of just over 330,000 km², Vietnam is divided into 63 provinces and cities, nearly 700 districts, and more than 10,000 communes and wards. With so many levels of government and administrative bodies, the system has become excessively bulky.

The greatest concern is not the enormous resources spent on maintaining the administrative system, but rather its effectiveness and efficiency. The real challenge is not simply choosing a capital, merging agencies, or reducing staff—it lies in the quality of the personnel. Ideally, officials should meet the necessary requirements: possessing knowledge, competence, and, above all, integrity. This has always been emphasized, and it will be even more critical in the future. While many factors define capability, the most crucial is the ability to identify key links in the system and focus investment where it matters most. Here, the essence of governance lies in generating fresh ideas and, more importantly, in executing them effectively.

Economics focuses on effectively leveraging advantages—absolute, comparative, and the lessons learned from later-developing cities. So, what is the absolute advantage of an emerging city? If we only mention natural resources like the sea and forests, the answer seems too obvious. Few realize that Qusng Nam is the only province in central Vietnam with an extensive river network spanning across its regions—yet river tourism remains in its infancy.

There may be taller mountains than Ngọc Linh, but nowhere else grows Ngoc Linh ginseng, a national treasure of medicinal herbs. The challenge lies in developing a processing industry to bring this prized ginseng to the global market. Likewise, the Museum of Cham Sculpture is a unique cultural gem with untapped potential. The maritime economy, particularly tourism, should not be limited to beach destinations alone. A vast array of new tourism products linked to the sea is waiting to be explored, demanding innovative approaches to unlock their full potential.

Da Nang accounts for approximately 10% of Vietnam’s software workforce—so how can it transform itself into a tech hub comparable to Hefei in China? This is what economists call a dynamic comparative advantage. The key lies in setting the right objectives and striving to make Da Nang, within the next decade, become a true economic and social center of national and regional significance. There are many lessons to learn from later-developing cities, but one of the most critical is to proactively avoid issues like traffic congestion and pollution, challenges that Hanoi is currently grappling with.

This time, the administrative reorganization of provinces and cities is vastly different from what took place in 1976. After decades of experience, it has become increasingly clear that prosperity cannot be built on agriculture alone—sustainable economic growth must be driven by industry and modern services.

In the past, this land produced exceptional figures in politics, literature, diplomacy, linguistics, mathematics, law, and journalism. These individuals shaped the legacy of Ngu phung te phi—a tradition of intellectual excellence and unwavering resistance against injustice and wrongdoing. But how can we ensure that this region not only upholds its proud heritage but also creates new values for the future? The “soft power” of Da Nang demands fresh vision, new approaches, and, above all, a new way of gathering. Vietnam is the only nation in the world that traces its lineage to the Dragon and Fairy, but today, it must also rise as a true dragon in economic development.

A great opportunity is calling, and now is the time for everyone to join hands in the shared enthusiasm for our beloved Quang homeland.

Reporting by THUC NHAN – Translating by HONG VAN