Discover the newly expanded Lao Cai Vietnam map 2025, where the merger with Yen Bai unlocks streamlined travel across 99 restructured communes. This transformation reshapes your Sapa adventures, border crossings, and local exploration. With Impress Travel, international tourists gain essential insights, real-time tools, and custom tours tailored to the latest Lao Cai province map. Travel smart, explore deeper—your next journey starts with the right map and the right guide.
Hold onto your hiking poles—because Lao Cai province has been completely redrawn! In April 2025, the National Assembly of Vietnam approved Resolution 60/NQ-TW, officially merging Lao Cai and Yen Bai into one unified administrative province—retaining the historic name: Lao Cai.
But there’s more.
Gone are the familiar levels like districts, townships, municipalities. As of June 30, only two tiers remain: communes (xa) and wards (phuong). This means everything from Sa Pa town to Muong Khuong has a new place on the map!
Snapshot: Before vs. After
|
Before Merger (Lao Cai + Yen Bai) |
After Merger (Unified Lao Cai Province) |
|
152 administrative units |
99 administrative units |
|
16 wards, 9 townships, 127 communes |
10 wards, 89 communes |
|
City, town, and district-level divisions |
Removed entirely |
This isn’t just a reshuffle of names—it’s a reimagination of how tourism, transport, and culture are streamlined across the northwest highlands of Vietnam.
Before Merger (Lao Cai + Yen Bai) (Source: bandovn)
Below is the same English table, but every Vietnamese place-name. The former patchwork of districts has been reduced from 152 to just 99. That’s 89 communes and 10 wards that now define the new Lao Cai province map.
|
No. |
New Subdivision |
Components Merged (Former Units) |
|
1 |
Khao Mang Commune |
Ho Bon Commune + Khao Mang Commune |
|
2 |
Mu Cang Chai Commune |
Mu Cang Chai Town + Kim Noi Commune + Mo De Commune + Che Cu Nha Commune |
|
3 |
Pung Luong Commune |
Nam Khat Commune + La Pan Tan Commune + De Xu Phinh Commune + Pung Luong Commune |
|
4 |
Tu Le Commune |
Cao Pha Commune + Tu Le Commune |
|
5 |
Tram Tau Commune |
Pa Lau Commune + Pa Hu Commune + Tuc Dan Commune + Tram Tau Commune |
|
6 |
Hanh Phuc Commune |
Tram Tau Town + Ban Cong Commune + Hat Luu Commune + Xa Ho Commune |
|
7 |
Phinh Ho Commune |
Lang Nhi Commune + Ban Mu Commune + Phinh Ho Commune |
|
8 |
Lien Son Commune |
Lien Son State Farm Town + Son A Commune + Nghia Phuc Commune |
|
9 |
Gia Hoi Commune |
Nam Bung Commune + Nam Lanh Commune + Gia Hoi Commune |
|
10 |
Son Luong Commune |
Nam Muoi Commune + Sung Do Commune + Suoi Quyen Commune + Son Luong Commune |
|
11 |
Van Chan Commune |
Son Thinh Town + Dong Khe Commune + Suoi Bu Commune + Suoi Giang Commune |
|
12 |
Thuong Bang La Commune |
Tran Phu State Farm Town + Thuong Bang La Commune |
|
13 |
Chan Thinh Commune |
Tan Thinh Commune (Van Chan) + Dai Lich Commune + Chan Thinh Commune |
|
14 |
Nghia Tam Commune |
Binh Thuan Commune + Minh An Commune + Nghia Tam Commune |
|
15 |
Phong Du Ha Commune |
Xuan Tam Commune + Phong Du Ha Commune |
|
16 |
Chau Que Commune |
Chau Que Thuong Commune + Chau Que Ha Commune |
|
17 |
Lam Giang Commune |
Lang Thip Commune + Lam Giang Commune |
|
18 |
Dong Cuong Commune |
Quang Minh Commune + An Binh Commune + Dong An Commune + Dong Cuong Commune |
|
19 |
Tan Hop Commune |
Dai Son Commune + Na Hau Commune + Tan Hop Commune |
|
20 |
Mau A Commune |
Mau A Town + Yen Thai Commune + An Thinh Commune + Mau Dong Commune + Ngoi A Commune |
|
21 |
Xuan Ai Commune |
Dai Phac Commune + Yen Phu Commune + Yen Hop Commune + Vien Son Commune + Xuan Ai Commune |
|
22 |
Mo Vang Commune |
An Luong Commune + Mo Vang Commune |
|
23 |
Lam Thuong Commune |
Mai Son Commune + Khanh Thien Commune + Tan Phuong Commune + Lam Thuong Commune |
|
24 |
Luc Yen Commune |
Yen The Town + Minh Xuan Commune + Yen Thang Commune + Lieu Do Commune |
|
25 |
Tan Linh Commune |
Minh Chuan Commune + Tan Lap Commune + Phan Thanh Commune + Khai Trung Commune + Tan Linh Commune |
|
26 |
Khanh Hoa Commune |
To Mau Commune + An Lac Commune + Dong Quan Commune + Khanh Hoa Commune |
|
27 |
Phuc Loi Commune |
Truc Lau Commune + Trung Tam Commune + Phuc Loi Commune |
|
28 |
Muong Lai Commune |
An Phu Commune + Vinh Lac Commune + Minh Tien Commune + Muong Lai Commune |
|
29 |
Cam Nhan Commune |
Xuan Long Commune + Ngoc Chan Commune + Cam Nhan Commune |
|
30 |
Yen Thanh Commune |
Phuc Ninh Commune + My Gia Commune + Xuan Lai Commune + Phuc An Commune + Yen Thanh Commune |
|
31 |
Thac Ba Commune |
Thac Ba Town + Vu Linh Commune + Bach Ha Commune + Han Da Commune + Vinh Kien Commune + Dai Minh Commune |
|
32 |
Yen Binh Commune |
Yen Binh Town + Tan Huong Commune + Thinh Hung Commune + Dai Dong Commune |
|
33 |
Bao Ai Commune |
Cam An Commune + Mong Son Commune + Tan Nguyen Commune + Bao Ai Commune |
|
34 |
Tran Yen Commune |
Co Phuc Town + Bao Dap Commune + Tan Dong Commune + Thanh Thinh Commune + Hoa Cuong Commune + Minh Quan Commune |
|
35 |
Hung Khanh Commune |
Hong Ca Commune + Hung Khanh Commune |
|
36 |
Luong Thinh Commune |
Hung Thinh Commune + Luong Thinh Commune |
|
37 |
Viet Hong Commune |
Viet Cuong Commune + Van Hoi Commune + Viet Hong Commune |
|
38 |
Quy Mong Commune |
Kien Thanh Commune + Y Can Commune + Quy Mong Commune |
|
39 |
Coc San Commune |
Dong Tuyen Commune + Tong Sanh Commune + Coc San Commune |
|
40 |
Hop Thanh Commune |
Ta Phoi Commune + Hop Thanh Commune |
|
41 |
Phong Hai Commune |
Phong Hai State Farm Town + Ban Cam Commune |
|
42 |
Xuan Quang Commune |
Phong Nien Commune + Tri Quang Commune + Xuan Quang Commune |
|
43 |
Bao Thang Commune |
Pho Rang Town + Son Ha Commune + Son Hai Commune + Thai Nien Commune |
|
44 |
Tang Loong Commune |
Tang Loong Town + Phu Nhuan Commune |
|
45 |
Gia Phu Commune |
Xuan Giao Commune + Thong Nhat Commune + Gia Phu Commune |
|
46 |
Muong Hum Commune |
Nam Pung Commune + Trung Leng Ho Commune + Muong Hum Commune |
|
47 |
Den Sang Commune |
Den Thang Commune + Sang Ma Sao Commune + Den Sang Commune |
|
48 |
Y Ty Commune |
A Lu Commune + Y Ty Commune |
|
49 |
A Mu Sung Commune |
Nam Chac Commune + A Mu Sung Commune |
|
50 |
Trinh Tuong Commune |
Coc My Commune + Trinh Tuong Commune |
|
51 |
Ban Xeo Commune |
Pa Cheo Commune + Muong Vi Commune + Ban Xeo Commune |
|
52 |
Bat Xat Commune |
Bat Xat Town + Ban Vuoc Commune + Ban Qua Commune + Phin Ngan Commune + Quang Kim Commune |
|
53 |
Vo Lao Commune |
Nam Ma Commune + Nam Dang Commune + Vo Lao Commune |
|
54 |
Khanh Yen Commune |
Khanh Yen Trung Commune + Liem Phu Commune + Khanh Yen Ha Commune |
|
55 |
Van Ban Commune |
Khanh Yen Town + Khanh Yen Thuong Commune + Son Thuy Commune + Lang Giang Commune + Hoa Mac Commune |
|
56 |
Duong Quy Commune |
Tham Duong Commune + Duong Quy Commune |
|
57 |
Chieng Ken Commune |
Nam Tha Commune + Chieng Ken Commune |
|
58 |
Minh Luong Commune |
Nam Xay Commune + Minh Luong Commune |
|
59 |
Nam Chay Commune |
Dan Thang Commune + Nam Chay Commune |
|
60 |
Bao Yen Commune |
Pho Rang Town + Yen Son Commune + Luong Son Commune + Xuan Thuong Commune |
|
61 |
Nghia Do Commune |
Tan Tien Commune + Vinh Yen Commune + Nghia Do Commune |
|
62 |
Thuong Ha Commune |
Dien Quan Commune + Minh Tan Commune + Thuong Ha Commune |
|
63 |
Xuan Hoa Commune |
Tan Duong Commune + Xuan Hoa Commune |
|
64 |
Phuc Khanh Commune |
Viet Tien Commune + Phuc Khanh Commune |
|
65 |
Bao Ha Commune |
Kim Son Commune + Cam Con Commune + Tan An Commune + Tan Thuong Commune + Bao Ha Commune |
|
66 |
Muong Bo Commune |
Lien Minh Commune + Muong Bo Commune |
|
67 |
Ban Ho Commune |
Thanh Binh Commune (Sa Pa) + Ban Ho Commune |
|
68 |
Ta Van Commune |
Hoang Lien Commune + Muong Hoa Commune + Ta Van Commune |
|
69 |
Ta Phin Commune |
Trung Chai Commune + Ta Phin Commune |
|
70 |
Coc Lau Commune |
Nam Luc Commune + Ban Cai Commune + Coc Lau Commune |
|
71 |
Bao Nhai Commune |
Nam Det Commune + Coc Ly Commune + Bao Nhai Commune |
|
72 |
Ban Lien Commune |
Nam Khanh Commune + Ban Lien Commune |
|
73 |
Bac Ha Commune |
Bac Ha Town + Na Hoi Commune + Thai Giang Pho Commune + Ban Pho Commune + Hoang Thu Pho Commune + Nam Mon Commune |
|
74 |
Ta Cu Ty Commune |
Lung Cai Commune + Ta Cu Ty Commune |
|
75 |
Lung Phinh Commune |
Ta Van Chu Commune + Lung Phinh Commune + Lung Than Commune |
|
76 |
Pha Long Commune |
Ta Ngai Cho Commune + Din Chin Commune + Ta Gia Khau Commune + Pha Long Commune |
|
77 |
Muong Khuong Commune |
Muong Khuong Town + Thanh Binh Commune (Muong Khuong) + Nam Chay Commune + Tung Chung Pho Commune + Nam Lu Commune |
|
78 |
Ban Lau Commune |
Ban Sen Commune + Lung Vai Commune + Ban Lau Commune |
|
79 |
Cao Son Commune |
Lung Khau Nhi Commune + Ta Thang Commune + La Pan Tan Commune + Cao Son Commune |
|
80 |
Si Ma Cai Commune |
Si Ma Cai Town + San Chai Commune + Nan San Commune + Can Cau Commune + Quan Ho Than Commune |
|
81 |
Sin Cheng Commune |
Ban Me Commune + Thao Chu Phin Commune + Nan Sin Commune + Sin Cheng Commune |
|
82 |
Nghia Lo Ward |
Tan An Ward + Pu Trang Ward + Nghia An Commune + Nghia Son Commune |
|
83 |
Trung Tam Ward |
Trung Tam Ward + Phu Nham Commune + Nghia Loi Commune + Nghia Lo Commune |
|
84 |
Cau Thia Ward |
Cau Thia Ward + Thanh Luong Commune + Thach Luong Commune + Phuc Son Commune + Hanh Son Commune |
|
85 |
Van Phu Ward |
Yen Thinh Ward + Tan Thinh Commune (Yen Bai) + Van Phu Commune + Phu Thinh Commune |
|
86 |
Yen Bai Ward |
Dong Tam Ward + Yen Ninh Ward + Minh Tan Ward + Nguyen Thai Hoc Ward + Hong Ha Ward |
|
87 |
Nam Cuong Ward |
Nam Cuong Ward (Yen Bai) + Minh Bao Commune + Tuy Loc Commune + Cuong Thinh Commune |
|
88 |
Au Lau Ward |
Hop Minh Ward + Gioi Phien Commune + Minh Quan Commune + Au Lau Commune |
|
89 |
Cam Duong Ward |
Nam Cuong Ward (Lao Cai) + Xuan Tang Ward + Pom Han Ward + Bac Cuong Ward + Bac Lenh Ward + Binh Minh Ward + Cam Duong Commune |
|
90 |
Lao Cai Ward |
Duyen Hai Ward + Coc Leu Ward + Kim Tan Ward + Lao Cai Ward + Van Hoa Commune + Ban Phiet Commune |
|
91 |
Sa Pa Ward |
Ham Rong Ward + O Quy Ho Ward + Sa Pa Ward + Cau May Ward + Phan Si Pang Ward + Sa Pa Ward |
|
92 |
Nam Xe Commune |
(Unchanged) |
|
93 |
Ngu Chi Son Commune |
(Unchanged) |
|
94 |
Che Tao Commune |
(Unchanged) |
|
95 |
Lao Chai Commune |
(Unchanged) |
|
96 |
Nam Co Commune |
(Unchanged) |
|
97 |
Ta Xi Lang Commune |
(Unchanged) |
|
98 |
Cat Thinh Commune |
(Unchanged) |
|
99 |
Phong Du Thuong Commune |
(Unchanged) |
Source: Resolution 1673/NQ-UBTVQH15 dated June 16, 2025, of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly on the reorganization and merger of commune-level subdivisions in Lào Cai Province.
Lao Cai After Merger (Source: xanhsm)
If you’re exploring Lao Cai Vietnam in 2025 or beyond, you’re stepping into a restructured land of wonder—but only if you’re equipped with the right information. Here’s what every smart traveler should be prepared for.
The Lao Cai map has changed dramatically. Many familiar communes have been renamed, merged, or reclassified. So, if you’re still relying on that trusty 2024 guidebook, don’t be surprised if it doesn’t match road signs, Google Maps Sapa Vietnam results, or even local conversation.
What used to be several separate villages are now grouped under larger entities like Sapa Ward or Muong Khuong Commune. Navigation confusion? Yes. But with the right tools, it’s easy to stay one step ahead.
New commune and ward names—many derived from ethnic minority languages—are seldom translated into English on signage. You might be standing right in front of Ta Giang Phinh, but unless your pronunciation is on point, taxi drivers may not recognize your destination.
Using outdated commune names in conversation with locals or drivers can result in wrong turns, longer trips, or even ending up in the wrong valley! Always double-check whether your guide, driver, or homestay host is familiar with the new official name
Miscommunication Post-merger With Locals (Source: tripsavvy)
Be cautious when using travel PDFs or printed brochures created before July 2025. They won’t reflect the updated list of 99 communes or realigned borders, especially in zones like Si Ma Cai or Bac Ha, where boundary changes are significant.
Yes, change brings challenges—but also incredible opportunities! The 2025 Lao Cai province map opens the door to smarter, richer, and more efficient travel across one of Vietnam’s most spectacular regions.
Take Sa Pa Ward, for example. It now encompasses once-separate destinations like Cau May, O Quy Ho, and Phan Si Pang. That means you can trek, shop, relax in a homestay, and scale Fansipan—all within a single administrative area.
This new setup simplifies trip planning and multiday tours with Impress Travel, saving you time while enriching your itinerary.
All Sights lie Within Sapa Ward (Source: kkday)
Previously, areas like Y Ty or Si Ma Cai required multiple travel permits, checkpoints, or approvals—especially for foreign guests. But now, with merged communes, permit procedures are simpler and faster. One border-tour permit might now give you access to multiple ethnic villages, mountain passes, and market zones. That’s efficiency at its best!
Unified administrative zones make it easier for provinces to launch stronger tourism campaigns. For example, the new Lao Cai City Ward is branding itself as a cohesive destination for border-gate excursions, mountain-valley circuits, and ethnic culture exploration.
You’ll notice this right away—road upgrades, expanded trekking trails, multilingual digital signage, and centralized tourist information points are rolling out fast. Whether you’re following Google Maps Sapa Vietnam, VietMap, or our Impress Travel digital guide, the journey is smoother than ever before.
Don’t just visit Lao Cai. Understand it. Explore it. Live it. With so many communes renamed or redrawn, you can no longer rely on outdated brochures or word-of-mouth directions. That’s why at Impress Travel, we’re not just your tour provider—we’re your navigation partner, your storyteller, your translator, and your cultural interpreter.
So let us help you plan smarter with custom-built Sapa & Lao Cai tours designed around the latest 2025 map update.
Sa Pa Ward now encompasses a much broader area than before, including the iconic town center and surrounding mountain villages. Other official wards include Cam Duong and potentially new administrative zones as part of the 2025 map restructuring.
Which communes belong to Sapa town?
Newly defined Sapa town now includes celebrated spots such as Ngu Chi Son, Ta Phin, Cau May, Ban Ho, Ta Van, and Hau Thao—each with its unique appeal.
Imagine trekking through bamboo forests in Ta Phin, then relaxing in a hill-tribe homestay in Ban Ho, all under one administrative umbrella.
Yes—most of Sapa’s communes remain rural, rich in Hmong and Dao culture, terraced rice fields, herbal baths, and indigenous homestay experiences.
These are the jewels in the crown of the Sapa valley Vietnam map, perfect for anyone seeking immersive travel. Impress Travel makes it easy to explore them responsibly and comfortably.
We went on a private trip to Vietnam and Cambodia, the whole trip plan was organized for us by the Impress Travel Company from Vietnam, the company did an amazing job, the whole trip was organized in a wonderful way with an amazing match between the various parties, their choices were correct and the quality of the hotels chosen were very high quality and it is important to note that the price was low in comparison To other agencies, thanks to Impress Travel and especially to Daniel who was tolerant and open to changes and organized the route for us.
Impress travel were amazing. Did my bookings with Daniel for our tour of Vietnam and I must say Daniel was very professional and prompt with his services. All the arrangement, plans, pick-up & drop-off services, hotels, vehicles, sightseeing tours and guides were spot on and excellent. Did 4 nights Hanoi, 1 night Hà Long Bay cruise, 3 nights Hoian, 4 nights Saigon and 1 night in Can Tho. It was totally awesome. Every part of the journey was superbly arranged and planned. I will highly recommend Impress Travel for anyone interested in visiting Vietnam. Very organized and reliable!
I booked with Impress Travel in July. My contact person was Tommy Thang. He is an amazing person. He was very helpful. He changed my program twice for me. Very accommodating!
We started our holiday in the north (Sapa)of Vietnam and travelled down to HCMC.
The tour was fantastic, Tommy's arrangements were to the"T".
I will always use them if I have to visit the area again and recommend them to one and all.
Thank you once again Mr.Tommy and the Impress Team.
Sulaiman Pochee
Great value for money with 4 stars hotel accommodation for 4 couples. The tour guide has been very helpful and brought us to amazing places in Sapa. We want to thanks Thuy the tour guide and especially Mark from Impress Travel for his great service and assurance throughout our trip. We’ll definitely use his service for other tour packages in other parts of Vietnam.
This is the second time we travel to Vietnam with IMPRESS Travel. First time, we booked our holiday to Hanoi, Halong Bay & Sapa during Dec 2018 with Impress.
Second time, we travel to Hoi An, Hue & Danang (Central Vietnam) during Jan 2019.
My friends & I are very glad & happy with all the hotels stay in Central Vietnam, the meals provided are delicious. We are greatly appreciated with all the tour arrangement by Tommy & his team (tour guide).
Especially, Mr. NHAT C.V. He is helpful, cheerful, knowledgeable and very professional. He always volunteer to take a nice pictures for six of us (group) .
We enjoyed our holiday with Impress travel. We will definitely come back to Vietnam again with Impress
An amazing sapa tour to admire the dramatic scenery of Sapa Hill Station in the northwest of Vietnam such as imposing rice terraces, stunning green valleys, hills row on hills, mountains of mountains.
Three days of Sapa easy trekking to explore the most iconic attractiveness of Sapa such as rice terraces, lush-green valleys, imposing mountains rows of mountains, the cultural diversity.
To do the athletic activities as easy trekking to visit the rustic hill tribe villages via the stunning rice terraces, to meet at the friendly communication with local ethnic people, enjoy local foods.
The tour bring you to Sapa easy trekking tour to ethnic villages & O Quy Ho Glass bridge where travelers floating experience by the imposing scenery around and the deep smoking bottom.
