List of cities in Vietnam
| Administrative units of Vietnam |
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| Province-level |
| Commune-level |
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Skylines of Vietnamese cities
In Vietnam, cities (Vietnamese: thành phố) are a type of administrative division. Since the 2025 reforms to local government, cities only exist as first-level administrative divisions, equivalent to a province and officially known as centrally-governed cities (Vietnamese: thành phố trực thuộc trung ương, lit. 'city subject to the centre'). City status requires a resolution of the National Assembly of Vietnam. As with provinces, they are divided into urban wards, rural communes, and, where appropriate, island special zones.
Prior to 2025, cities also existed at the district level, and may be subject to the administration of a province or of a centrally-governed city.
Prior to 2025 reforms
Prior to the amendment of the Constitution on June 16, 2025, Vietnamese cities were divided into 2 main administrative types: centrally-governed cities (thành phố trực thuộc trung ương) and provincial cities (thành phố trực thuộc tỉnh). Municipal cities were considered district-level administrative units within the municipalities.[1]
Cities were further assessed and categorized under the urban area classification resolution, which includes six classes: Special (Vietnamese: Loại đặc biệt), Class I, Class II, Class III, Class IV and Class V. Municipalities and Municipal Cities were given Class I (With the exception of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City being Special Class). Provincial Cities were assigned Class I, Class II, Class III depending on classification criteria.[2]
After 2025 reforms
After the amendment of the Constitution, centrally-governed cities became the only administrative units defined as 'cities.' [3][4] The amendment resulted in the dissolution of provincial cities, which rendered the urban area classification resolution outdated. On August 23, 2025, the Ministry of Construction published a draft resolution, aimed at addressing the problem, for public opinion gathering.[5]
Current centrally-governed cities
Capital city
| City | Vietnamese | Seal | Date Recognized | Region | 2025 Area | 2025 Population | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| km2 | mi2 | ||||||
| Hanoi | Hà Nội | 1946[6] | Red River Delta | 3.359,82[7] | 1,297.23 | 8.807.523[7] | |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Thành phố Hồ Chí Minh | 1976 | Southeast | 6.772,59[8] | 2,614.91 | 14.002.598[8] | |
| Haiphong | Hải Phòng |  |
1976 | Red River Delta | 3.194,72[9] | 1,233.48 | 4.664.124[9] |
| Can Tho | Cần Thơ |  |
2004 | Mekong River Delta | 6.360,83[10] | 2,455.93 | 4.199.824[10] |
| Da Nang | Đà Nẵng |  |
1997 | South Central Coast | 11.859,59[11] | 4,579.01 | 3.065.628[11] |
| Hue | Huế | 2025 | North Central Coast | 4.947,11[12] | 1,910.09 | 1.432.986[12] | |
| Dong Nai | Đồng Nai | 2026 | Southeast | 12.737,18[13] | 4,917.85 | 4.491.408[13] | |
| Quang Ninh | Quảng Ninh | 2026 | Half Red River Delta, half Northeast (Vietnam)[14] | 6.231,27 | 1,497,447 | ||
Future centrally-governed city status
Approved by the National Assembly
- Quảng Ninh (city status effective 1 September 2026)[15]
- Bắc Ninh (effective 20 September 2026)[16]
Provinces with central party or government designation
Provinces with local government aspiration
- Tây Ninh (no target date specified)
- Thái Nguyên (target date 2030)
- Thanh Hoá (target date after 2030)
Former cities
Municipalities
| City | Vietnamese | Region | Established | Dissolved | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Nam Dinh | Nam Định | Red River Delta | 1945 | 1957 | Merged into Nam Định province. |
Municipal cities
| City | Vietnamese | Municipality | Established | Dissolved | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thu Duc | Thủ Đức | Ho Chi Minh City | 2020 | 2025 | Merged into Ho Chi Minh City. |
| Thuy Nguyen | Thủy Nguyên | Haiphong | 2025 | 2025 | Merged into Haiphong. |
Provincial cities
| City | Vietnamese | Province | Established | Dissolved | Status |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Can Tho | Cần Thơ | Cần Thơ | 1972 | 2004 | Elevated to municipality. |
| Da Nang | Đà Nẵng | Quảng Nam–Đà Nẵng | 1978 | 1997 | Elevated to municipality. |
| Ha Dong | Hà Đông | Hà Tây | 2006 | 2009 | Merged into Hanoi. |
| Hue | Huế | Thừa Thiên Huế | 1929 | 2025 | Elevated to municipality. |
| Son Tay | Sơn Tây | Hà Tây | 2007 | 2009 | Merged into Hanoi. |
| Ninh Binh | Ninh Bình | Ninh Bình | 2007 | 2025 | Merged with Hoa Lư district to become Hoa Lư city. |
| Ba Ria | Bà Rịa | Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu | 2012 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Bac Lieu | Bạc Liêu | Bạc Liêu | 2010 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Bao Loc | Bảo Lộc | Lâm Đồng | 2010 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Bac Giang | Bắc Giang | Bắc Giang | 2005 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Bac Kan | Bắc Kạn | Bắc Kạn | 2015 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Bac Ninh | Bắc Ninh | Bắc Ninh | 2006 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Bien Hoa | Biên Hòa | Đồng Nai | 1976 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Ben Cat | Bến Cát | Bình Dương | 2024 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Ben Tre | Bến Tre | Bến Tre | 2009 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Buon Ma Thuot | Buôn Ma Thuột | Đắk Lắk | 1995 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Cam Ranh | Cam Ranh | Khánh Hòa | 2010 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Cao Bang | Cao Bằng | Cao Bằng | 2012 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Cao Lanh | Cao Lãnh | Đồng Tháp | 2007 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Ca Mau | Cà Mau | Cà Mau | 1999 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Cam Pha | Cẩm Phả | Quảng Ninh | 2012 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Chau Doc | Châu Đốc | An Giang | 2013 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Chi Linh | Chí Linh | Hải Dương | 2019 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Di An | Dĩ An | Bình Dương | 2020 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Da Lat | Đà Lạt | Lâm Đồng | 1893 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Dien Bien Phu | Điện Biên Phủ | Điện Biên | 2003 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Dong Ha | Đông Hà | Quảng Trị | 2009 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Dong Trieu | Đông Triều | Quảng Ninh | 2024 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Dong Hoi | Đồng Hới | Quảng Bình | 2004 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Dong Xoai | Đồng Xoài | Bình Phước | 2018 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Go Cong | Gò Công | Tiền Giang | 2024 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Gia Nghia | Gia Nghĩa | Đăk Nông | 2019 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Ha Giang | Hà Giang | Hà Giang | 2010 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Ha Tien | Hà Tiên | Kiên Giang | 2018 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Ha Tinh | Hà Tĩnh | Hà Tĩnh | 2007 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Ha Long | Hạ Long | Quảng Ninh | 1993 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Hai Duong | Hải Dương | Hải Dương | 1997 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Hoa Binh | Hòa Bình | Hòa Bình | 2006 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Hoa Lu | Hoa Lư | Ninh Bình | 2007 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Hoi An | Hội An | Quảng Nam | 2008 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Hong Ngu | Hồng Ngự | Đồng Tháp | 2020 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Hung Yen | Hưng Yên | Hưng Yên | 2009 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Kon Tum | Kon Tum | Kon Tum | 2009 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Lai Chau | Lai Châu | Lai Châu | 2013 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Lang Son | Lạng Sơn | Lạng Sơn | 2002 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Lao Cai | Lào Cai | Lào Cai | 2004 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Long Khanh | Long Khánh | Đồng Nai | 2019 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Long Xuyen | Long Xuyên | An Giang | 1999 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Mong Cai | Móng Cái | Quảng Ninh | 2008 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| My Tho | Mỹ Tho | Tiền Giang | 1967 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Nam Dinh | Nam Định | Nam Định | 1921 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Nga Bay | Ngã Bảy | Hậu Giang | 2020 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Nha Trang | Nha Trang | Khánh Hòa | 1977 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Phan Rang–Thap Cham | Phan Rang–Tháp Chàm | Ninh Thuận | 2007 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Phan Thiet | Phan Thiết | Bình Thuận | 1999 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Pho Yen | Phổ Yên | Thái Nguyên | 2022 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Phu Ly | Phủ Lý | Hà Nam | 2008 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Phu My | Phú Mỹ | Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu | 2025 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Phu Quoc | Phú Quốc | Kiên Giang | 2020 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Phuc Yen | Phúc Yên | Vĩnh Phúc | 2018 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Pleiku | Pleiku | Gia Lai | 1999 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Quang Ngai | Quảng Ngãi | Quảng Ngãi | 2005 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Quy Nhon | Quy Nhơn | Bình Định | 1986 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Rach Gia | Rạch Giá | Kiên Giang | 2005 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Sa Dec | Sa Đéc | Đồng Tháp | 2013 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Sam Son | Sầm Sơn | Thanh Hóa | 2017 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Soc Trang | Sóc Trăng | Sóc Trăng | 2007 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Son La | Sơn La | Sơn La | 2008 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Song Cong | Sông Công | Thái Nguyên | 2015 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Tam Diep | Tam Điệp | Ninh Bình | 2015 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Tam Ky | Tam Kỳ | Quảng Nam | 2006 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Tan An | Tân An | Long An | 2009 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Tan Uyen | Tân Uyên | Bình Dương | 2023 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Tay Ninh | Tây Ninh | Tây Ninh | 2013 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Thai Binh | Thái Bình | Thái Bình | 2004 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Thai Nguyen | Thái Nguyên | Thái Nguyên | 1962 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Thanh Hoa | Thanh Hóa | Thanh Hóa | 1994 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Thu Dau Mot | Thủ Dầu Một | Bình Dương | 2012 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Thuan An | Thuận An | Bình Dương | 2020 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Tra Vinh | Trà Vinh | Trà Vinh | 2010 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Tuy Hoa | Tuy Hòa | Phú Yên | 2005 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Tuyen Quang | Tuyên Quang | Tuyên Quang | 2010 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Tu Son | Từ Sơn | Bắc Ninh | 2021 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Uong Bi | Uông Bí | Quảng Ninh | 2011 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Vi Thanh | Vị Thanh | Hậu Giang | 2010 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Viet Tri | Việt Trì | Phú Thọ | 1962 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Vinh | Vinh | Nghệ An | 1927 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Vinh Long | Vĩnh Long | Vĩnh Long | 2009 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Vinh Yen | Vĩnh Yên | Vĩnh Phúc | 2006 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Vung Tau | Vũng Tàu | Bà Rịa–Vũng Tàu | 1991 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
| Yen Bai | Yên Bái | Yên Bái | 2002 | 2025 | Reorganized into smaller subdivisions. |
See also
References
- ↑ National Assembly of Vietnam. Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Art. 110, Ch. IX). January 1, 2014
- ↑ National Assembly of Vietnam. Standing Committee. Nghị quyết số 1210/2016/UBTVQH13 Về phân loại đô thị (Resolution no. 1210/2016/UBTVQH13 on urban classification). (in Vietnamese)
- ↑ National Assembly of Vietnam. Constitution of the Socialist Republic of Vietnam (Art. 110, Ch. IX). July 21, 2025.
- ↑ National Assembly of Vietnam. Luật số 65/2025/QH15 Về tổ chức chính quyền địa phương [Law no. 65/2025/QH15 on the organization of local government]. (in Vietnamese)
- ↑ "Mời bạn đọc tham gia, góp ý dự thảo Tờ trình và dự thảo Nghị quyết về phân loại đô thị". moc.gov.vn. 23 August 2025. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
- ↑ National Assembly of the Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam. Constitution of the Democratic Republic of Viet-Nam (Ch. I, Art. 3). November 9, 1946.
- 1 2 National Statistics Office (2024). "Area, population and population density by province by Cities, provincies, Year". nso.gov.vn. Retrieved 26 November 2025.
- 1 2 National Assembly of Vietnam. Nghị quyết số 202/2025/QH15 Về việc sắp xếp đơn vị hành chính cấp tỉnh (Resolution no. 202/2025/QH15 on the arrangement of provincial-level administrative units) (Art. 1, Sec. 16). 2025. (in Vietnamese)
- 1 2 National Assembly of Vietnam. Nghị quyết số 202/2025/QH15 Về việc sắp xếp đơn vị hành chính cấp tỉnh (Resolution no. 202/2025/QH15 on the arrangement of provincial-level administrative units) (Art. 1, Sec. 7). 2025. (in Vietnamese)
- 1 2 National Assembly of Vietnam. Nghị quyết số 202/2025/QH15 Về việc sắp xếp đơn vị hành chính cấp tỉnh (Resolution no. 202/2025/QH15 on the arrangement of provincial-level administrative units) (Art. 1, Sec. 19). 2025. (in Vietnamese)
- 1 2 National Assembly of Vietnam. Nghị quyết số 202/2025/QH15 Về việc sắp xếp đơn vị hành chính cấp tỉnh (Resolution no. 202/2025/QH15 on the arrangement of provincial-level administrative units) (Art. 1, Sec. 10). 2025. (in Vietnamese)
- 1 2 National Assembly of Vietnam. Nghị quyết số 175/2024/QH15 Về việc thành lập thành phố Huế trực thuộc Trung ương (Resolution no. 175/2024/QH15 on the establishment of Hue City directly under the Central Government). (in Vietnamese)
- 1 2 National Assembly of Vietnam. Nghị quyết số 03-NQ/TW Về việc thành lập thành phố Đồng Nai trực thuộc Trung ương (Resolution no. 03-NQ/TW on the establishment of Đồng Nai City directly under the Central Government). (in Vietnamese)
- ↑ After the rearrange day, Quảng Ninh province were no longer being on Northeast region as of Red River Delta combined.
- ↑ Online, Nhan Dan (2026-04-16). "Politburo backs plan to establish Quang Ninh as centrally-governed city". Nhan Dan Online (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2026-04-19.
- 1 2 "Quyết định phê duyệt Quy hoạch hệ thống đô thị và nông thôn thời kỳ 2021 - 2030, tầm nhìn đến năm 2050". chinhphu.vn (in Vietnamese). 2024-08-22. Phụ lục 1, Bảng 1, hàng 3 ("Addendum 1, Table 1, Row 3"). Retrieved 2025-10-22.
- ↑ Bùi, Toàn (2023-03-30). "Khánh Hòa được định hướng là thành phố trực thuộc Trung ương". VnExpress.net (in Vietnamese).
External links
Media related to Cities in Vietnam at Wikimedia Commons
