The National Assembly passed a resolution on June 12 on administrative reorganisation, reducing provincial-level units from 63 to 34.
Before the merger, Ho Chi Minh City had a population of over 9.9 million. Its population has now risen to more than 14 million, making it the most populous in the country.
However, Hanoi retains the highest population density among the 34 newly formed localities. With over 8.8 million people and an area of approximately 3,360 square kilometres, the capital has a density of more than 2,620 people per square kilometre. Ho Chi Minh City follows with nearly 2,070, while Haiphong ranks third with 1,460.
Following the merger, Ho Chi Minh City’s total area has more than tripled to over 6,770 square kilometres, while its population increased by less than 1.5 times.
Four of the 34 provinces and cities now have populations below one million, including Lai Chau (just over 512,000), Cao Bang (nearly 573,000), Dien Bien (approximately 673,000), and Lang Son (881,000).
Lai Chau remains the least populous province in Vietnam and was unaffected by recent administrative changes. Located in the mountainous north-west, it covers nearly 9,070 square kilometres. It has the lowest population density in the country, with just 57 people per square kilometre as of the end of 2024.
In terms of land area, the newly formed Lam Dong Province is now the largest in Vietnam, spanning more than 24,200 square kilometres after its merger with Dak Nong and Binh Thuan. The new Lam Dong stretches from the Central Highlands to the South Central Coast, bordering Cambodia to the west and the East Sea to the east.
Gia Lai ranks second in land area, covering 21,576.5 square kilometres.
Hung Yen, newly merged with Thai Binh, is now the smallest province by area, covering just 2,515 square kilometres. It now borders the sea.
Vietnam now has six centrally governed cities: Hanoi, Ho Chi Minh City, Haiphong, Hue, Danang, and Can Tho. Hue has the smallest population, with around 1.43 million residents.