Top 10 Provinces and Cities with Lowest GRDP per Capita in Vietnam

Hà Giang is known as a mountainous province located in the extreme north of the country, holding a particularly strategic position. Hà Giang is considered one of the poorest provinces in the country, ranking 63rd in terms of total production per capita with 34.3 GRDP per Capita. It also has the lowest GRDP per Capita in the nation. The province possesses crucial transportation hubs and has all the conditions necessary for the development of natural ecological tourism as well as cultural and spiritual tourism.

Hà Giang is a mountainous province with a sparse population, predominantly inhabited by the Hmong ethnic group, along with other ethnic groups such as the Dao, La Chi, Tay, etc. Due to its mountainous terrain, Hà Giang's economy is relatively underdeveloped compared to neighboring provinces and cities. Its forestry mainly consists of precious woods such as cardamom, rosewood, and hardwoods like ironwood, teak, pomegranate, and oak. Agricultural products mainly focus on rice, corn, sweet potatoes, and legumes. Moreover, the foothills of the Western Côn Lĩnh Range in Hà Giang also cultivate various types of tea. Particularly, residents also grow many fruit trees such as plums and pears.

The province of Cao Bằng lies in the northern part of the country, bordering the provinces of Hà Giang, Tuyên Quang, Bắc Kạn, and Lạng Sơn. Its terrain mainly consists of hills and mountains, with limited residential land. Winter temperatures in some areas occasionally experience freezing conditions and snowfall. Cao Bằng is relatively poorer compared to other provinces in Vietnam. The majority of its economy focuses on agriculture and forestry, although other industries still exist. Cao Bằng recorded a GRDP per capita of 39.8 last year, ranking it as the third lowest in terms of per capita GDP among provinces and cities nationwide.

Hidden in a remote region of northern Vietnam, the province of Cao Bằng is flourishing with stunning cultural landmarks. As a province situated in the area where Vietnamese people inhabited thousands of years ago before expanding southward, Cao Bằng boasts several historical attractions. With five major river systems and 47 lakes, water plays a crucial role in shaping the local landscape and life. Much of Cao Bằng is protected as a UNESCO Global Geopark. Its extraordinary diversity makes it a spectacular destination to explore, especially for adventurous travelers.

Điện Biên is one of the mountainous provinces in the Northwest region of Vietnam. It is also the only province in Vietnam that shares a border with two neighboring countries, Vietnam and China, spanning over 400 kilometers. Điện Biên's terrain is predominantly rugged and complex mountains, interspersed with high mountain ranges and narrow valleys and streams scattered throughout the province. The economy of Điện Biên is classified as average in Vietnam, with natural conditions being one of the difficulties hindering economic development. Điện Biên ranks 62nd in terms of total GDP, with a GRDP per capita of 39.7 million VND.

The tropical monsoon climate is one of the favorable conditions for agricultural development in Điện Biên. Some industrial products in Điện Biên mainly include electricity, bricks, building stones, cement, etc. Currently, Điện Biên is focusing on tourism and industry, which are considered to have great potential for provincial economic development. With a system of historical relics associated with the Dien Bien Phu campaign that shook the world, such as Him Lam, Ban Keo, Doc Lap, as well as hills A1, C1, E1, and the central area of the French fortress... Additionally, Điện Biên also has numerous caves, mineral springs, and lakes.

Yên Bái is a mountainous province located in the intersection between the Northwest and Northeast regions and the Northern Midlands and Mountainous region. It borders Lào Cai province to the north, Phú Thọ province to the south, Hà Giang and Tuyên Quang provinces to the east, and Sơn La province to the west. It serves as an important trading hub between the highland and lowland areas of the Northern region. Yên Bái ranks 59th out of 63 provinces and cities with a GRDP per capita of 47.5 million VND, making it the fifth lowest province in terms of GRDP per capita in the country. Being a mountainous province, Yên Bái is less developed, with a low proportion of agricultural land and an underdeveloped industrial sector.

Despite being predominantly agricultural, Yên Bái has promising tourism potential. The province remains relatively untouched by tourism, thus most things are kept intact. The pristine nature and diverse cultural heritage of local ethnic minority groups will captivate your eyes when visiting Yên Bái. The magnificent terraced fields in Mù Cang Chải stretching from mountain peaks down to small streams will conquer the hearts of every traveler. Mù Cang Chải has attracted many domestic and international tourists due to its majestic scenery and inspiring beauty. The Khau Phạ Pass, connecting Văn Chấn district and Mù Cang Chải district of Yên Bái province, is considered one of the most challenging routes in Northern Vietnam.

The province of Bắc Kạn is landlocked and borders only with other provinces of Vietnam. With its hilly terrain and pristine forests, Bắc Kạn is rich in mineral resources. The economy of Bắc Kạn focuses on mining, forestry, agriculture, and some tourism sectors due to its mountains, lakes, and national parks. Bắc Kạn achieves 46.3 GRDP per capita, ranking fourth in the list of provinces and cities with the lowest per capita GRDP in the country.

Situated at high altitudes in northeastern Vietnam, Bắc Kạn Province is one of the lesser-known ecotourism destinations in the country. With its untouched landscapes, the province's pristine forests feature a network of mountains, hills, rivers, and waterfalls within them. Development in the area has led to deforestation, making conservation areas like Ba Bể National Park even more precious. Rare flora and fauna thrive in places like Ba Bể National Park. Supported by a strong ethnic community, many attractions in Bắc Kạn also revolve around the mountainous cultures and lifestyles of northern Vietnam.

Bến Tre is part of the renowned Mekong Delta region of the country. Bến Tre features a flat geographical landscape surrounded by sandbanks, adorned with rice fields, fruit orchards, and numerous rivers, streams, and canals. The four branches of the Tiền Giang River, including Mỹ Tho, Ba Lai, Hàm Luông, and Cổ Chiểu, divide Bến Tre into three islands: Minh, Bảo, and An Hóa. Together, they contribute to a rich ecosystem of rivers, streams, and greenery, conducive to transportation, hydroelectricity, and, more importantly, ecotourism potential. Last year, Bến Tre province achieved 49 GRDP per capita, ranking 56th nationwide in terms of per capita GRDP, making it one of the provinces and cities with the lowest per capita GRDP in the country.

Formerly a relatively deserted area, Bến Tre has seen an influx of settlers over time, attracted to the high lands conducive to travel and flood avoidance. When it comes to famous destinations in the South, Bến Tre Province is often overlooked in favor of other renowned places such as Mỹ Tho, Vĩnh Long, and Trà Vinh. The recent completion of new bridges has connected Bến Tre province with neighboring provinces, thereby attracting more tourists to the area. As a promising destination, the network of rivers, canals, and riverbanks in Bến Tre offers picturesque scenery for adventurous travelers.

Nam Định Province lies in the southern part of the Red River Delta, bordered by Hà Nam and Thái Bình provinces to the north, Ninh Bình province to the west, and the East Sea to the east. Nam Định ranks sixth in the country in terms of per capita GRDP, with 49 GRDP per capita last year. Blessed with a pristine coastline stretching 74km and four major rivers, Nam Định has great potential for economic development in fisheries and river tourism, although it has yet to be heavily invested in. Additionally, Nam Định is one of the key agricultural regions in Northern Vietnam.

Nam Định may not be on the list of Vietnam's famous tourist destinations and is less visited by foreign tourists. However, it is suitable for those who enjoy exploring remote places. Here, travelers can immerse themselves in the rustic beauty of rural landscapes and discover the rich culture and history of the local people, from the historical site of Đền Trần (Trần Temple) and Cổ Lễ Pagoda to the paradise for nature lovers at Xuân Thủy National Park. The region is also renowned for its specialties, with simple yet delicious dishes, particularly the famous hometown bún bò (beef noodle soup).

Located in the northwest of Vietnam, approximately 230km from Hanoi. Sơn La Province is inland and remote, stretching along the southwestern border of Vietnam with Laos. It is divided by the Đà River, flowing into a large reservoir in Hòa Bình Province. Sơn La is the ninth lowest province in terms of GRDP per capita nationwide, with 49.6 GRDP per capita in the past year. The local economy faces many difficulties due to weather conditions, terrain, and annual complex climate changes. The road transportation system has not been heavily invested in and lacks dynamism, posing one of the challenges in Sơn La.

Sơn La Province features numerous mountains, rivers, and mineral resources, with abundant water sources suitable for hydroelectric development to boost the economy. Mộc Châu Plateau is an ideal place for dairy farming, tea cultivation, and fruit trees. Guarding the gateway to the vast beauty of Northwestern Vietnam, Sơn La holds great potential for tourism. With 12 ethnic groups (Thai, H'Mong, Mường, Tày, etc.) who have long inhabited the vast land, the province can offer a variety of Northwestern cultural characteristics. Characterized by mountainous landscapes, the terraced slopes of Sơn La form hundreds of picturesque rice terraces.

Bordering China, Lai Châu Province is one of the least densely populated areas in Vietnam. Similar to much of Northwestern Vietnam, Lai Châu province features predominantly mountainous landscapes, characterized by remote and underdeveloped areas. Lai Châu has long been the poorest province in Vietnam and has the least developed industrialization. According to statistics, Lai Châu achieved 49.5 GRDP per capita in the past year, ranking eighth on the list of provinces and cities with the lowest average GRDP per capita nationwide.

However, in recent years, with local efforts to eradicate poverty and government support policies, Lai Châu Province has undergone significant changes. Industrial and agricultural production has seen strong growth, mainly focusing on tourism development. Situated in remote areas, Lai Châu is the gateway to some of the most spectacular landscapes. The province boasts magnificent mountain passes, deep valleys, serene lakes, and mighty rivers. Journeying from one peak to another, tourists will have the opportunity to witness tightly-knit communities, breathtaking scenery, and some of the tallest mountains in the country.

Nghệ An is a province located in the North Central Coast region of Vietnam. Nghệ An is known as the largest province in Vietnam in terms of area. It is situated in the central position of the North Central Coast region. The province has become an important economic hub along the East-West corridor connecting Myanmar, Laos, Thailand, and Vietnam. Nghệ An is renowned as one of Vietnam's major industrial provinces, producing cement, sugar, dairy products, white marble, etc., ranking first in the country. The local economy relies on agriculture, forestry, fisheries, and tourism.

However, with its vast area and sparse population, Nghệ An remains a province with a low average GRDP per capita of 51.4 GRDP per capita. Nghệ An is a province with strong economic development potential, with abundant natural resources throughout Nghệ An and over 2 million hectares of forests in the province leading to the development of several tourist destinations. With a combination of urban landscapes and remote areas as well as attractive destinations like Pù Mát National Park and Cửa Lò Beach, Nghệ An allows for the development of various forms of tourism such as ecotourism, resort tourism, mountain climbing, etc.