Not just a popular destination during holidays and festivals, the Hoa Binh hydropower plant welcomes visitors daily, drawing thousands each year to contemplate and learn about this monumental symbol of national pride. It is estimated that more than 60,000 tourists visit the plant annually.
Visitors explore the turbine chamber of the Hoa Binh hydropower plant.
The
Hoa Binh hydropower plant was built with the support of the former Soviet
Union, with construction beginning in 1979. However, the groundwork was laid
even earlier, in 1971, when Vietnamese and Soviet Union geologists began
intensive surveys to determine the most suitable location along the fierce Da
River. At the peak time, up to 40,000 workers and 2,500 Soviet Union experts
worked at the construction site, reflecting the massive scale of the project
and the deep-rooted friendship between Vietnam and the Soviet Union.
Unfortunately,
168 Vietnamese and Soviet Union engineers and workers lost their lives during
construction - a lasting testament to sacrifice, dedication, and international
solidarity.
The
plant’s first turbine was connected to the national grid on December 30, 1988,
marking a historic milestone in Vietnam’s electricity industry. The eighth and
final turbine was completed on April 4, 1994, bringing the total installed
capacity to 1,920 MW. The plant’s official inauguration on December 20, 1994,
was celebrated nationwide as the culmination of 15 years of relentless labour
on one of the greatest engineering feats of the 20th century.
Since
its operation, the plant has successfully mitigated dozens of severe floods,
including the historic flood in August 1996, with a peak flow of over 22,650
cu.m per second, and the unusually late flood in October 2017, which posed
complex and unpredictable challenges with nearly 16,000 cu.m per second in flow
while the reservoir was already full.
For
years, Hoa Binh’s eight turbines, with a total installed capacity of 1,920 MW,
were crucial in addressing Vietnam’s electricity shortage, supplying a stable
and reliable source of power for national development.
From
the moment its first turbine connected to the national grid on December 30,
1988 to November 9, 2024, the Hoa Binh hydropower company generated over 280
billion kWh of electricity, an extraordinary achievement reflecting 36 years of
efficient operation and management of this multi-purpose strategic power
project.
In
early 2021, Vietnam launched the Hoa Binh hydropower plant expansion project to
further harness the invaluable water resource and meet the country's growing
energy needs. The project will add two turbines with a combined capacity of 480
MW, bringing the plant’s total output to 2,400 MW upon completion.
In the spirit of "Party members go first, the people follow”, all households of Party members in the Doan Ket sub-region in Da Bac town, Da Bac district, voluntarily removed gates and fences, and donated land when the road expansion project passed through their properties. Inspired by their example, 68 households in the sub-region quickly followed suit, contributing over 1,400 sq.m of residential and perennial cropland to widen the main road through the residential area. The exemplary role of Party members in Doan Ket stands as a shining example of studying and following President Ho Chi Minh’s thought, morality, and lifestyle.
The Hoa Binh provincial People's Committee held a monthly meeting on May 29 to assess the implementation of socio-economic development tasks in the first six months of 2025, the progress of key projects, and some other important issues.
During his lifetime, President Ho Chi Minh always expressed his deep affection and special concern for children and youth. He once emphasized: "Caring for and educating children well is the responsibility of the entire Party and the entire people”; "First of all, the family (i.e. grandparents, parents, siblings) must do this job well”. "the Party Committees…, the Children’s Committee, the Youth Union, the education sector, and all related organizations must have specific plans to ensure children grow healthier and more progressive”. His teachings has been remaining valuable and serving as the guiding principles in the work of protecting, caring for, and educating children. In line with this ideology, Hoa Binh Province has continuously been prioritizing and investing resources in the well-being of children in recent years.
Mr. Nguyen Phi Long, the alternate Member of the Party Central Committee and Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee chaired the meeting of the Standing Committee of the Provincial Party Committee to provide opinions on several investment projects within the province. There was the attendance of Ms. Bui Thi Minh, the Permanent Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairwoman of the Provincial People’s Council; Mr. Bui Đuc Hinh, the Deputy Secretary of the Provincial Party Committee and Chairman of the Provincial People’s Committee and other members of the Standing Committee; the leaders from other departments, agencies, and some localities.
The Standing Board of the Vietnam Fatherland Front (VFF) Committee of Hoa Binh province held a meeting on May 28 to honour outstanding village elders, village heads, and reputable individuals from local ethnic minority and religious communities.
In mid-May, the provincial Museum organised an exhibition named "Duoi la co Dang Cong san Viet Nam quang vinh” (Under the flag of the glorious Communist Party of Vietnam). This meaningful activity took place in the joyful atmosphere to celebrate the country's major holidays and the Party congresses at all levels for the 2025-2030 term, towards the 14th National Party Congress.
