Top 8 Smallest Provinces in Vietnam You Should Know About

Ranking in fourth place, Vinh Phuc covers an area of 1,236,500,000 km². This northern province is situated in the Red River Delta region and serves as the northwestern gateway to Hanoi.

Vinh Phuc is well-known for its rich natural resources and strong tourism potential, with renowned destinations such as Tay Thien, Tam Dao, Dai Lai Lake, and Ban Long Waterfall. The area is also steeped in the history of the Hung Kings and ancient Kinh Bac and Thang Long cultures, offering a fascinating folklore and a society that continues to uphold high moral standards through generations.

Ranked fifth, Da Nang might come as a surprise to many as one of the smallest provinces in Vietnam. With a total area of 1,285,400,000 km², Da Nang is a major economic, political, educational, and diplomatic center in Vietnam, and a popular destination for tourists from both within the country and abroad, drawn to its stunning natural scenery.

The city is home to beautiful beaches, a pleasant climate, and remarkable sites such as Ba Na Hills, Son Tra Peninsula, Marble Mountains, and the famous Dragon Bridge. Da Nang is also centrally located to three of Vietnam's iconic attractions: the ancient Imperial City of Hue, the charming ancient town of Hoi An, and the historic My Son Sanctuary.

Ninh Bình is a province located at the southern gateway of Northern Vietnam. It ranks sixth in terms of size among Vietnamese provinces, covering an area of 1,378,000,000 km².

The land of Ninh Bình was once the capital of Vietnam from 968 to 1010, during the Đinh, Tiền Lê, and Tiền Lý dynasties. It has also been a significant military hub throughout various historical periods. With its strategic location in terms of transport, topography, and cultural heritage, Ninh Bình is home to two UNESCO World Heritage Sites and a World Biosphere Reserve. Today, it stands as a promising tourism center with a rich and diverse potential.

Geographically, Ninh Bình occupies a highly important position, marking the border of three regions: the Northwest, the Red River Delta, and the North Central Coast. The province lies at the intersection of three economic regions: Hanoi's region, the Northern Coastal region, and the Central Coastal region. Ninh Bình serves as the heart of Northern Vietnam, encompassing provinces from Thừa Thiên Huế northward.

Can Tho is a province and municipality with a relatively small area, ranking seventh in Vietnam. Its total area measures just 1,439,200,000 km². Can Tho is a centrally governed city in Vietnam and the most modern and developed city in the Mekong Delta region. It is classified as a type I urban area and serves as the economic, cultural, social, healthcare, and educational hub of the Mekong Delta.

Can Tho has been the capital and central urban area of the southwestern region since the French colonial period, and it continues to be a key economic center of the Mekong Delta. Besides its geographic significance as an essential transport hub connecting provinces in the region, Can Tho is also well-known as a riverine city.

Vinh Long is a province located in the Mekong Delta region of Vietnam. It is the smallest province in Vietnam by area, with a total land size of 1,475,000,000 km².

In 1732, the area now known as Vinh Long was established by Nguyen Phuc Chu, initially named Chau Dinh Vien, part of the Long Ho administrative region. In 1779, it was renamed Hoang Tran Dinh. From 1780 to 1805, it was called Vinh Tran, and from 1806 to 1832, it was known as Tran Vinh Thanh. The name Vinh Long was officially adopted as the province's name from 1832 to 1950. From 1951 to 1954, it was called Vinh Tra Province. The province was re-established as Vinh Long again from 1954 to 1975, and from 1976 to May 1992, it was known as Cuu Long Province. Finally, since May 5, 1992, the name Vinh Long has been used and remains today.

First, let's talk about Bac Ninh, the smallest province in Vietnam, covering an area of just 822,700,000 km². Located in the Red River Delta, Bac Ninh is famous as the birthplace of Quan Ho folk singing and has a long history as the center of the ancient Kinh Bac region.

Although it is the smallest province, Bac Ninh is still one of the key economic regions in the North and serves as the northeastern gateway to Hanoi. This is a land known for its “great people and fertile soil,” rich in cultural heritage and historical landmarks.

When people think of Bac Ninh, they often think of its famous Quan Ho melodies and the Lim Festival. It is also renowned for its academic traditions, producing many scholars. Names like the first doctorate Lê Văn Thịnh and the scholar Nguyễn Nhân Thiếp are famous, and their legacy is preserved on 15 stone steles at the Bac Ninh Temple of Literature. Today, when we mention Bac Ninh, let us not forget it is still the smallest province in Vietnam!

Ha Nam is a province located to the southwest of Hanoi, covering an area of 860,500,000 km². It is considered the second smallest province in Vietnam. Situated within the key economic region of the North, Ha Nam shares a border with Hanoi and boasts a rich history of wet rice civilization, complemented by a deep cultural heritage. This is evident in the preserved historical sites such as the Kẽm Trống Scenic Area, the Trúc-Ngũ Hành Sơn Temple, and Long Đọi Pagoda.

When people mention Ha Nam, they immediately think of Phu Ly City – the cultural and economic hub of the province. Additionally, Ha Nam is known as the point where three rivers, the Day, Chau Giang, and Nhue, converge. Let’s not forget that Ha Nam is the second smallest province in Vietnam, only slightly larger than Bac Ninh.

"No matter where you trade, north or south,
Who could forget the sweet lychee of Hung Yen?"

As the saying goes, Hung Yen is a province located in the heart of the Red River Delta (about 64 km southeast of Hanoi). It is especially renowned for its sweet, fragrant and large lychees. However, not many people realize that this famous province is the third smallest in Vietnam, covering an area of just 926,000,000 km², only slightly larger than Bac Ninh and Ha Nam.

Apart from its famous lychees, Hung Yen is also remembered for its historic Phố Hiến, which was once referred to as "The First Kinh Ky, the Second Pho Hien" – the second most famous historical site in northern Vietnam.