Its nameHà-nam (河南) means "the south ofthe river", but it was only grafted fromHà-nội andNam-định by the French administrative managers about the early of the 20th century. The territory of this province is not located in the South of any river in fact.
Hà Nam, and Vietnam as a whole, implemented the second five-year plan between 1975 and 1980. This plan included protecting the country's national border and gradually overcoming difficulties within the country itself. Between 1981 and 1985, the administration attempted to improve the society and culture of Vietnam.