Trực Ninh [ʨɨ̰ʔk˨˩:nïŋ˧˧] is a rural district of Nam Định province in the Red River Delta region of Vietnam.

When the Trần Dynasty was founded, Tây Chân belonged to Thiên Trường prefecture.

Its name implies that it was the periphery of a small urban complex called Tức Mặc village, where officials and aristocrats were concentrated.

In the Revival Lê Dynasty, because its name coincided with the title of Lord Trịnh Tạc,[note 1] it was changed to Nam Chân rural district (Nam Chân huyện).

During the Nguyễn Dynasty, some parts in the East of this rural district were transferred to Hải Hậu.