An Giang Province is on the western extreme of the Mekong Delta bordered by Dong Thap on the northwest; Can Tho on the southeast; Kien Giang on the southwest and 95 kilometre long border with Cambodia on the northwest. An Giang Province is defined by the Tien Giang and Hau Giang Rivers adjacent to the Cuu Long River. Geographically it has a few low mountains and lowland areas.
An Giang is a mountainous delta province, possessing many resources for the development of agriculture, aqua-culture, industry, trade and tourism. The province has mineral resources, rivers and irrigation channels providing quality drinking water all year round, a convenient road and river transport network, beautiful, historic sites and popular traditional festivals. Of particular significance is the Oc Eo site in the south, the international port of Vinh Xuong (Tan Chau District) and Tinh Bien (tinh Bien District) and other national ports and the 90km with the Cambodian kingdom.
An Giang is thus perfectly located to become the focal point for communication with the Mekong sub region of Viet Nam, Cambodia, Laos and Thailand.
To realize the government's strategy for comprehensive development of the Mekong River Delta, An Giang will develop the economy and society at a fast, efficient and steady pace. By 2010 the average GDP growth rate will increase from 8.5% to 10%. The province will continue to invest in the construction of social welfare infrastructure so that An Giang will be a province with a relatively modern economy people's material and spiritual life will be improved.
History
An Giang first became a province in 1832, having been settled by ethnically Vietnamese migrants moving southwards in search of new land. It is believed that An Giang was once an important centre of the vanished Óc Eo culture, presumably owing to its position on the river. Traditionally, An Giang has been known for its silk industry.
The Ba Chuc massacre of April 1978, in that border province with Cambodia. On the day the Khmer Rouge began its series of border raids, April 15, 1978, Ba Chuc was a quiet little village of about 3,500 people. For two weeks, ending April 30, 1978, the Khmer Rouge tore through Ba Chuc slicing to bits anything that breathed, literally ripping apart young children limb from limb and hacking the adults to pieces with machetes. When the raids ceased the population of Ba Chuc had been reduced to 2.
Population:
An Giang province has an area of 33536.76 km2, with a population of 2149184 persons (in 2009), including 8 districts, 2 towns, 1 city.
An Giang is home to a sizable number of people from Vietnam's ethnic minorities. Due to the province's proximity to Cambodia, the Khmer Krom are the largest non-Vietnamese group. Other groups, such as the Cham and ethnic Chinese (Hoa), are also found in An Giang.