What Happened to the Ha Giang Loop Province in 2025? How the New Map Will Affect Travelers
- Faye Hilling
- Jul 4
- 9 min read
Updated: Jul 25
Wait... How Many Provinces Does Vietnam Have Now?
If you woke up in June 2025 planning a motorbike trip through Vietnam and thought, "Hold on, where did the Ha Giang province go?”—you're not dreaming.
Vietnam has pulled off the biggest cartographic plot twist since Google Maps was invented. Say goodbye to 63 provinces and hello to a streamlined 34.
That’s right—as of June 12, 2025, Vietnam passed a historic resolution consolidating its administrative map.
While the borders have changed, the waterfalls still cascade, the rice terraces still glisten, and your bánh mì is still delicious.
But for travelers, this is more than just a name-change—it’s a whole new world of easier routes, better logistics, and smoother trips.
In this guide, we'll cover what exactly changed, why it happened, and how it affects your travel plans, including what happens to iconic routes like the Ha Giang Loop, whether Sapa is still worth the trek, and how to plan an updated itinerary.
What Actually Happened to Vietnam's Provinces in 2025?
The Great Province Merge
Vietnam officially shrank its provincial count from 63 down to 34. The new layout includes:
6 centrally governed cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Da Nang, Hai Phong, Can Tho, and newly elevated Hue.
28 new provinces, formed by merging 52 existing ones into 23 mega-units.
The reorganization phases out traditional district-level administration in many areas, focusing on just two levels: provincial and commune.
The Downsizing Timeline at a Glance
June 12, 2025: Resolution passed.
July 1, 2025: New local governments start operations officially.
August 15, 2025: Commune-level restructuring wraps up.
September 15, 2025: Province-level implementation begins.
Why the Shake-Up?
The government’s goal is to:
Streamline governance.
Cut administrative costs (we’re talking billions of VND).
Boost infrastructure & tourism coordination.
Encourage regional travel instead of hopping province to province.
In other words, Vietnam just Marie Kondo’d its provinces—if the old borders didn’t spark joy, they’re out.
What Do Vietnam’s Province Changes Mean for Travelers?
1. Simpler, Seamless Itineraries
No more switching provinces every time you cross a river. Want to go from coffee farms in Gia Lai to the beach in Quy Nhon? That’s now all in one province.
2. Fewer Booking Confusions
Booking hotels, buses, or tours? Platforms like Google Maps, Booking.com, and Agoda will update soon—but until then:
Search by city name or landmark, not old province names.
Double-check addresses with updated maps.
3. Say Hello to One-Stop Wonderlands
Now, a single province might give you waterfalls, beaches, mountains, AND street food heaven—like Lam Dong, now a blend of Da Lat's charm and Mui Ne’s sand dunes.
4. Name Drops (Literally)
Some famous destinations technically changed provinces. For example:
Ha Giang Loop is now part of the new Tuyen Quang province.
Sapa belongs to the broader Lao Cai unit.
But don’t worry—the names live on in hearts, hashtags, and hostel tours. It’s the borders that shifted, not the vibes.
Vietnam’s New Administrative Map Explained
Let’s get to know the shiny new 34 provinces and cities.
11 Oldies (but Goodies): Unchanged Provinces
Hanoi (City)
Hue (City)
Lai Chau
Dien Bien
Son La
Lang Son
Quang Ninh
Thanh Hoa
Nghe An
Ha Tinh
Cao Bang
These regions met restructuring standards or had special cases (Cao Bang, we see you), so they stayed untouched.
Related article: Escape the Crowds: Why a Cao Bang Tour is Your Next Big Adventure.
Highlighted District Mergers to Watch
Tuyen Quang = Ha Giang + Tuyen Quang: Ride the legendary Ha Giang Loop and visit revolutionary relics, all in one go.
Lam Dong = Lam Dong + Dak Nong + Binh Thuan: Pine forests, waterfalls, AND sand dunes—who said you can’t have it all?
Ho Chi Minh City = HCMC + Binh Duong + Ba Ria–Vung Tau: A mega-city with urban buzz, beach escapes, and industrial power.
Gia Lai = Gia Lai + Binh Dinh: From mountain lakes to seaside resorts in a single itinerary.
Da Nang = Quang Nam + Da Nang: Now you can chill in Hoi An and take a selfie on the Golden Bridge—all under Da Nang City.
Standout Stats from Vietnam’s 2025 Province Shake-Up
HCM City: Now has over 14 million residents.
Lam Dong: Now Vietnam’s largest province by area.
Phu Tho: Borders 7 other provinces.
Lai Chau: Least populated.
Hanoi: Still the king of population density.
Who’s Got the Land, the People, and the Paychecks?
Now that the administrative dust has (mostly) settled, here’s how the new map reshapes Vietnam’s stats game:
Biggest and Smallest by Area
Lam Dong takes the crown for largest province by area at a whopping 24,233 sq km, thanks to its merger with Dak Nong and Binh Thuan.
Fun fact: these three used to sit in different economic zones—Central Highlands and South Central Coast—so this new Lam Dong is a geographic powerhouse with regional crossover.
On the flip side, Hung Yen is now the smallest province with 2,515 sq km, even after absorbing Thai Binh.
For context, the original Hung Yen was just 930 sq km. But don’t let its size fool you—this tiny titan has a population density of over 1,400 people per sq km, making it one of the most tightly packed places in the country.
Classic Red River Delta behavior.
Population Highs and Lows
Ho Chi Minh City still wears the population crown post-merger, now counting around 14 million residents after absorbing Ba Ria – Vung Tau and Binh Duong.
Among provinces, An Giang now leads with 4.9 million people following its merger with Kien Giang. Despite the jump in size, population density remains moderate at around 500 people per square kilometer.
Hot on An Giang’s heels:
Dong Nai – 4.5 million.
Ninh Binh – 4.4 million.
Dong Thap – 4.37 million.
Meanwhile, Hanoi now boasts around 10.3 million people, up from 8.4 million after merging with Hoa Binh (1.9 million). It remains one of Vietnam’s most densely packed places.
At the quieter end of the spectrum is Lai Chau, with just 512,000 residents stretched thin across 9,000 sq km.
That’s only 56 people per sq km—ideal for anyone craving peace, peaks, and personal space.
Related article: 5 Reasons Why You Should Go Trekking in Sapa.
Most Connected Province
Phu Tho is now the region’s ultimate neighbor, bordering seven other provinces and cities: Hanoi, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Son La, Lao Cai, Tuyen Quang, and Thai Nguyen.
If Vietnam had a "best at networking" award, it would go to Phu Tho.
Who’s Making (and Spending) the Money?
HCM City is now the country’s revenue boss, raking in VND 681,935 billion in 2024—31% of the national total.
Much of this is thanks to its merger with revenue-boosting provinces like Ba Ria–Vung Tau and Binh Duong.
Hanoi, while bumped to second place in total budget revenue (VND 511,338 billion), now leads in average income per capita with 89 million VND/year.
Rounding out the top income earners:
HCM City – 86.5 million.
Hai Phong – 78.6 million.
Dong Nai – 72.75 million.
(Previously, Binh Duong was on top with 107.6 million VND/year, but that was before the reshuffle.)
What About Famous Places? Will They Disappear in 2025?
Relax—Ha Long Bay didn’t pack its bags and move.
The Ministry of Culture has officially confirmed that all UNESCO sites, major landmarks, and popular tourist spots retain their original names, even if their provinces changed.
Still Here, Still Fabulous:
Ha Long Bay – Quang Ninh.
Hoi An Ancient Town – Now under Da Nang, but same charm.
Phu Quoc Island – Still a southern stunner in the newly-expanded An Giang.
Sapa & Mu Cang Chai – Under Lao Cai, but as photogenic as ever.
If you're planning to do the Ha Giang Loop and feeling unsure about all the admin changes, don’t stress.
While Ha Giang in 2025 is no longer technically a standalone province and has merged administratively with Tuyen Quang, the actual route, villages, and mountain passes remain exactly where they’ve always been.
So you can still wind through the same breathtaking scenery and vibrant ethnic minority communities.
The name "Ha Giang Loop" isn’t going anywhere either; it’s a cultural and traveler-defined route that exists beyond government reshuffles.
Same goes for other traveler hotspots like Sapa, Ha Long, or even lesser-known gems like Dong Van or Meo Vac. Vietnam’s beauty hasn’t gone anywhere—it’s just had a few bureaucratic touch-ups.
So yes, your bucket list is safe, your map apps will still work, and your dream trip? Totally still on.
Related article: The Ha Giang Loop and Beyond: What is the Bong Hostel Secret Tour?
New Itineraries to Get Excited About in Vietnam 2025
1. The Coffee-to-Coast Crawl (Gia Lai)
Sip robusta in the highlands, then surf the waves of Quy Nhon. It’s all one province now, baby.
Related article: 12+ Coffees to Try in North Vietnam.
2. Northwest Nature Run (Lao Cai to Tuyen Quang)
Start by trekking through misty Sapa, cruise through Mu Cang Chai’s golden terraces, then wind your way to Ha Giang’s sky-high loops.
3. Heritage & Heat (Da Nang)
Golden bridges, imperial relics, Cham ruins, and beach bars—all within Da Nang’s bold new borders.
4. The Island-Hopping Delta (An Giang)
Phu Quoc, Ha Tien, Chau Doc—now linked in one breezy, boat-hopping itinerary.
Practical Tips for Traveling Vietnam’s New Provinces
1. Search Smarter
Always look up the landmark or city name instead of relying on province names. Example: Search for "Tam Coc" not "Ninh Binh."
2. Confirm Everything (Twice)
Until platforms fully update:
Confirm pickup/drop-off locations with tour providers.
Double-check your hotel’s actual location on a map.
3. Visa & Paperwork Caution
Old province names might still appear on e-visas or bus tickets. Ask your provider to reference the new administrative names.
Related article: Your Ticket to the Ha Giang Loop: Vietnam Visa Requirements 2025.
4. Visit Local Tourist Centers
Especially in newly merged areas—they’ll have up-to-date brochures, maps, and the inside scoop on what’s open, closed, or newly fabulous.
Common Mistakes to Avoid Post-Merger
1. Booking to a Ghost Province
Nam Dinh doesn’t exist as a standalone anymore—it’s now part of Ninh Binh. Double-check before you end up 100km from your tour start point.
2. Transport Confusion
Airport transfers and train tickets may use old names. Use GPS pins or major landmarks when confirming.
3. Mismatch Madness
Online bookings vs. real locations—make sure both match the new province.
Related article: Mistakes When Planning the Ha Giang Loop and How to Avoid Them.
Travel Tech: How to Navigate Vietnam’s Province Changes
Must-Have Tools:
Google Maps 2025 Layer (when updated).
Official Vietnam Tourist Map: Issued by the Ministry of Culture.
Impress Travel Itinerary Planner: Up-to-date and route-savvy.
FAQ: Vietnam’s Province Changes & Travel Impact 2025
Q: Is Ha Giang still a province?
A: Not officially—it’s now merged with Tuyen Quang, but the Ha Giang Loop remains unchanged.
Q: Will Google Maps show the new provinces?
A: Yes, but updates may take a few months. Cross-check with official maps.
Q: Are famous destinations like Hoi An or Sapa still there?
A: Absolutely. Their administrative zones changed, but the destinations stay the same.
Q: Do I need to update my itinerary?
A: If you’re using old province names, yes. But most landmarks and routes remain intact.
Q: Will my visa or ticket get rejected if it lists an old province?
A: No, but it’s a good idea to confirm with your provider or hostel.
So... Why Should You Care?
Because travel just got easier, smoother, and packed with even more possibilities.
Instead of hopping from small province to small province, your route might now flow naturally from beach to forest to market to mountain—all without needing four bus transfers, and a nap.
Plus, with better-connected infrastructure, regional tourism plans, and less red tape, your trip is less hassle and more hustle. (The fun kind.)
Final Thoughts: Goodbye Confusion, Hello Adventure
Vietnam’s province changes in 2025 aren’t just a bureaucratic shuffle—it’s a major upgrade for travelers.
So whether you're planning the Ha Giang Loop (still iconic), daydreaming about Phu Quoc beaches, or gearing up for a multi-region foodie crawl, Vietnam is now designed to be more traveler-friendly than ever.
Bong Hostel is here to help you navigate this new landscape. Our tours, local tips, and Easy Riders are all ready to roll with the new map.
No matter what the province is called, the adventure—and the warm welcome—stays the same.
So plan your 2025 trip with Bong Hostel and enjoy happy and seamless travels in the new Vietnam!
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