Lao Cai Map

Lao Cai province is located in northeastern Vietnam and has Lao Cai city as its capital. Situated at the confluence of the Red River and the Nam Ti River, approximately 160 miles (260 km) northwest of Hanoi, Lao Cai borders four provinces: Lai Chau, Ha Giang, Yen Bai, and Son La, as well as the city of Hekou in Yunnan province, China. This province covers a total area of approximately 6,383.9 square kilometers and has a population of around 610,000 residents as of 2025, which includes major ethnic groups such as Kinh, H’Mong, Tay, Dao, and Thai. The following section features the prominent tourist attractions in Lao Cai.