Explore The New Administrative Map of Vietnam

Vietnam's administrative landscape is undergoing a significant transformation, as the National Assembly recently adopted a resolution to drastically reduce the number of provincial-level administrative units. This historic restructuring, set to take effect from July 1, 2025, will see Vietnam's 63 provinces and centrally-run cities consolidated into just 34.

The new structure will comprise 28 provinces and six centrally-run cities, marking a profound shift in the country's administrative map. Competent authorities are now tasked with urgent preparations to ensure that the newly formed local administrations are fully operational by the July 1 deadline.

What Does the New Map Look Like?

Out of the 34 new provincial-level administrative units:

• 11 provinces and centrally-run cities will retain their current administrative structure. These include Hanoi, Hue City, Lai Chau, Dien Bien, Son La, Lang Son, Quang Ninh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, and Cao Bang.

• 23 new units will be formed from the merger of 52 existing provinces and cities. Some notable examples of these mergers include:

  • Northern Region: Tuyên Quang Province (merging Hà Giang and the former Tuyên Quang), Lào Cai Province (merging Yên Bái and the former Lào Cai), Thái Nguyên Province (merging Bắc Kạn and the former Thái Nguyên), Phú Thọ Province (merging Vĩnh Phúc, Hòa Bình and the former Phú Thọ), Bắc Ninh Province (merging Bắc Giang and the former Bắc Ninh), Hưng Yên Province (merging Thái Bình and the former Hưng Yên).

  • Coastal & Central Highlands: Hải Phòng City (merging Hải Dương and the former Hải Phòng), Ninh Bình Province (merging Hà Nam, Nam Định and the former Ninh Bình), Quảng Trị Province (merging Quảng Bình and the former Quảng Trị), Đà Nẵng City (merging Quảng Nam and the former Đà Nẵng), Quảng Ngãi Province (merging Kon Tum and the former Quảng Ngãi), Gia Lai Province (merging Bình Định and the former Gia Lai), Khánh Hòa Province (merging Ninh Thuận and the former Khánh Hòa), Lâm Đồng Province (merging Đắk Nông, Bình Thuận and the former Lâm Đồng), Đắk Lắk Province (merging Phú Yên and the former Đắk Lắk).

  • Southern Region: Ho Chi Minh City (merging with Binh Duong and Ba Ria-Vung Tau), Đồng Nai Province (merging Đồng Nai and Bình Phước), Tây Ninh Province (merging Tây Ninh and Long An), Cần Thơ City (merging Sóc Trăng, Hậu Giang and the former Cần Thơ), Vĩnh Long Province (merging Bến Tre, Vĩnh Long and Trà Vinh), Đồng Tháp Province (merging Tiền Giang and Đồng Tháp), Cà Mau Province (merging Bạc Liêu and the former Cà Mau), An Giang Province (merging An Giang and Kiên Giang).

Map of 34 provincial administrative units of Vietnam. Source: Dan Tri

These mergers will lead to some significant changes in geographical size and population distribution. For instance, the new Lam Dong province, formed from Lam Dong, Dak Nong, and Binh Thuan, will become the largest administrative unit in terms of area, surpassing even Nghe An. Conversely, Hung Yen, post-merger with Thai Binh, will be the smallest in area but maintain a high population density.

Implications for Travelers and Beyond

Vietnam's historic administrative merger, which consolidates 63 provinces and centrally-run cities into 34, is a monumental shift for the country. While the primary goals are to streamline governance and boost economic development, first-time foreign travelers might wonder what this means for their upcoming trips. The good news is that the core of Vietnam's appeal – its incredible culture, breathtaking landscapes, and delicious food – remains unchanged. However, here are some detailed tips for foreign travelers to smoothly navigate the "new" Vietnam map:

1. Don't Panic About Place Names (Yet)

• Iconic Landmarks Retain Their Identity: The names of famous tourist destinations, natural wonders, and cultural sites like the Ha Giang Loop, Fansipan Mountain, Halong Bay, Hoi An Ancient Town, My Son Sanctuary, Nha Trang Beach, Da Lat, or the Mekong Delta will remain the same. These are the geographical and cultural identifiers that attract tourists, and the government is aware of their value. You'll still visit "Da Lat," even if the administrative province it's in has expanded to include other former provinces.

• Gradual Transition: The official change takes effect on July 1, 2025. This doesn't mean everything will change overnight. Local businesses, tour operators, and even many online maps will likely continue to use the familiar names for a transition period.

• Focus on the Destination, Not the Province: When planning your itinerary, continue to focus on the specific cities, towns, and attractions you wish to visit (e.g., "Hanoi Old Quarter," "Hoi An Ancient Town," "Sapa trekking"). The provincial boundaries are more relevant for administrative purposes than for tourist navigation.

2. Be Prepared for Updated Information

• Check Official Maps and Resources: As July 2025 approaches and passes, official government maps, major online mapping services (like Google Maps), and travel guidebooks will gradually update to reflect the new provincial boundaries and names. It's a good idea to cross-reference information if you notice discrepancies.

• Tour Operator Updates: Reputable tour operators and travel agencies will be proactive in updating their itineraries and information to reflect any changes that might affect routes or official documentation. If you're booking through an agency, they should be your primary source of current information.

• Government Websites: For the most accurate and up-to-date administrative information, refer to official Vietnamese government websites (though these may primarily be in Vietnamese).

3. Practical Considerations for Your Trip

• Transportation Bookings: When booking domestic flights, trains, or buses, use the well-known city names (e.g., Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hue, Da Lat). The airports and major train/bus stations will still be associated with these cities, regardless of the provincial merger.

• Accommodation Bookings: Similarly, when booking hotels, continue to search by city or specific neighborhood (e.g., "Hanoi Old Quarter," "District 1 Ho Chi Minh City," "Hoi An Ancient Town"). Hotels are unlikely to change their names based on provincial mergers.

• GPS and Navigation Apps: Ensure your GPS apps (like Google Maps or Grab) are updated. They will be crucial for navigating within cities and between destinations. These services are typically quick to reflect official geographical changes.

• Visa and Entry: The provincial mergers are administrative and do not directly impact visa requirements or entry procedures for foreign travelers. Continue to check the latest visa information based on your nationality via official channels.

4. Opportunities for Travelers

• Enhanced Regional Connectivity: The mergers are designed to improve infrastructure and connectivity within larger regions. This could, in the long run, lead to smoother travel between formerly separate provinces, potentially opening up new, more efficient travel routes and combined tourism offerings. For example, the new Lam Dong province (merging Lam Dong, Dak Nong, and Binh Thuan) could offer a more seamless "mountains-to-coast" itinerary.

• Integrated Tourism Products: As a result of combined resources, you might see new "mega-destinations" emerge that offer more comprehensive and diverse tourism products, blending different geographical and cultural experiences that were previously managed separately. For instance, the merger of Ha Giang and Tuyen Quang could promote a combined cultural and nature-based tourism experience that includes the famous Ha Giang Loop and other attractions in the wider Tuyen Quang area.

• Streamlined Processes (Long Term): The overall goal of reducing bureaucracy might, over time, lead to smoother processes for certain travel-related services, though this is a long-term benefit.

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