Xuân Trường district

Xuân Trường is a rural district of Nam Định province in the Red River Delta region of Vietnam. As of 2003 the district had a population of 179,765. The district covers an area of 113 km2. The district capital lies at Xuân Trường town.

Administration
Xuân Trường town is the capital of the district and controls 19 communes:
 * 1) Xuân Thượng
 * 2) Xuân Ngọc
 * 3) Xuân Kiên
 * 4) Xuân Tiến
 * 5) Xuân Ninh
 * 6) Xuân Vinh
 * 7) Xuân Trung
 * 8) Xuân Phương
 * 9) Thọ Nghiệp
 * 10) Xuân Đài
 * 11) Xuân Bắc
 * 12) Xuân Thuỷ
 * 13) Xuân Phú
 * 14) Xuân Hồng
 * 15) Xuân Tân
 * 16) Xuân Phong
 * 17) Xuân Thành
 * 18) Xuân Hoà
 * 19) Xuân Châu

History
The time of the Lê dynasty, Xuân Trường District belonged to Thien Truong court. During the Nguyễn dynasty Tran Son Nam belonged to the Xuân Trường court. In 1913 future Chairman of the National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam Bùi Bằng Đoàn started his career as a mandarin as the district magistrate of Xuân Trường. During his time as district magistrate in the Xuân Trường district he implemented the construction of the Bạch Long (白龍, "White dragon") dyke to prevent salt water from contaminating the area to help agricultural production allowing for productive rice and strawberry fields to grow in the area. In recognition of his merits, the people of the Xuân Trường district made a sacrifice for the young "parent of the people" (父母之民, phụ mẫu chi dân) right at the place where he took office.

In 1945 the district was changed to Xuân Trường and belonged to Nam Ha province in 1965. In 1967 the district merged with Giao Thủy into Xuân Thuỷ district. The district re-established its old name in March 1997.

Characteristics
Xuân Trường is a major rice growing province and Xuân Đài rice - rice is still cultivated on 1,000 ha every year. The district has many traditional villages that produce crafts, including:


 * Xuân Tiến - village of mechanics
 * Xuân Hồng - village of mulberry planting, silkworm raising and pulling cocoons
 * Xuân Phương - embroidery village
 * Xuân Ninh - village of wine cooking
 * Xuân Kiên - village of rice paper

Xuân Trường is also a land of culture and history which was home to notable revolutionaries, including:


 * General Secretary Trường Chinh
 * Deputy President of Congress, Dang Quan Thuy
 * Nguyen Dang Kinh, hero of the Pham Gia Trieu armed forces

Catholicism is spreading throughout Xuân Trường, a process that includes the establishment of numerous churches.

Tourist areas

 * Memorial house of former General Secretary Trường Chinh
 * Keo Hành Thiện Pagoda
 * Xuân Hồng cultural village/commune
 * Bùi Chu Bishop (Xuân Ngọc commune)
 * Phu Chew (Xuân Phương) church

Temple areas

 * Kiên Lao temples (Xuân Kiên)
 * Tho (Xuân Phong)
 * Temple Spring Group (Xuan Hung)
 * Xuân (Xuân Thuỷ) Greek temple
 * Xuân Trung Pagoda (Xuân Trung)
 * Nghĩa Xá Pagoda (Xuân Ninh)
 * Temple An Cu (Xuân Vinh)

Festivals

 * Keo Hành Thiện Pagoda festival

Specialties

 * Xuân Đài tam rice
 * Xuân Tiến raw fish dishes
 * Kiên Lao wine
 * Xuân Bắc meat roll