Vĩnh Long province

Vĩnh Long
Province
Official seal of Vĩnh Long
Seal
Etymology: "Eternal Prosperity"
Location of Vĩnh Long within Vietnam
Location of Vĩnh Long within Vietnam
Coordinates: 10°10′N 106°0′E / 10.167°N 106.000°E / 10.167; 106.000
Country Vietnam
RegionMekong Delta
Government centerLong Châu ward
Government
 • Party SecretaryTrần Văn Lâu
 • People's Council ChairNguyễn Minh Dũng
 • People's Committee ChairTrần Trí Quang
Area
[1]
 • Total
6,296.20 km2 (2,430.98 sq mi)
Population
 (31/12/2024)
 • Total
4,257,581
 • Density676.214/km2 (1,751.39/sq mi)
Demographics
 • EthnicitiesVietnamese, Khmer, Hoa, Chăm
GDP[2]
 • TotalVND 47.121 trillion
US$ 2.047 billion
Time zoneUTC+7 (ICT)
Calling code70
ISO 3166 codeVN-49
HDI (2020)Increase 0.713[3]
(29th)
Websitevinhlong.gov.vn

Vĩnh Long (listenⓘ) is a province located in the Mekong Delta of southwestern Vietnam. Its provincial capital is Long Châu ward. Its population is 4,257,581 and its area is 6,296.20 km2 (2,430.98 mi2).[1] After merging with Bến Tre and Trà Vinh provinces, Vĩnh Long province has many large river islands, including: Bảo island, Minh island and An Hoá island. The east of the province has a coastline with the East Sea.

History

Under Nguyễn lords

Nam Kỳ Lục tỉnh (1832 - 1841)

In 1731, Trấn Biên commander – Nguyễn Cửu Triêm defeated Chân Lạp rebels at Lật Giang (Bến Lức). In 1732, Phiên Trấn commander – Trần Đại Định led his Long Môn army cooperated with Chân Lạp king – Nặc Tha (Ang Chee)'s army in destroying Chân Lạp rebels at Lô Việt (La Bích). In the same year, Lord Ninh ordered to establish the third district of Gia Định prefecture: Định Viễn district, protected by Long Hồ palace.[4]: 141–3 

In 1757, Chân Lạp king – Nặc Đôn (Ang Tong) died.[note 1] The regent Nặc Nhuận paid his two prefectures: Trà Vinh and Ba Thắc as tribute to Lord Võ to get approval as the new king of Chân Lạp. Shortly after, Nặc Nhuận's son-in-law killed him to ascend the crown. Nặc Đôn's grandson, Nặc Tôn (Ang Ton) fled to Hà Tiên seeking for military aid. Lord Võ appointed Nặc Tôn as the new king of Chân Lạp and ordered Mạc Thiên Tứ and his troops to escort Nặc Tôn back. In return, Nặc Tôn ceded the Tầm Phong Long region to Lord Võ. Lord Võ divided this region to three sub-regions: Châu Đốc, Tân Châu, and Đông Khẩu, under the administration of Long Hồ palace.[5]: 121 [4]: 166–7 

The area saw some of the heaviest fighting between the Tây Sơn brothers and the Nguyễn lords in the late 18th century; in 1784 Nguyễn Huệ defeated Siamese forces aiding Nguyễn Ánh at the Mang Thít River.

Under Nguyễn dynasty

Six Provinces of Lower Cochinchina, and Bình Thuận in 1850

In 1808, Emperor Gia Long renamed Lower Cochinchina from Gia Định trấn to Gia Định thành, its four palaces (dinh): Phiên Trấn, Trấn Biên, Trấn Định, Vĩnh Trấn (Long Hồ) were also renamed to protectorate (trấn): Phiên An, Biên Hoà, Định Tường, Vĩnh Thanh respectively. Định Viễn district was renamed to Định Viễn prefecture.[4]: 716  Vĩnh Thanh protectorate contained both Vĩnh Long and An Giang.[6]: 21 

Vĩnh Long province was first established in 1832 when Emperor Minh Mạng dissolved Gia Định thành to established Six Provinces. Vĩnh Long province contained three prefectures, divided into six districts.[7]: 392–5  Lê Phúc Bảo was appointed the governor-general of Long – Tường (Vĩnh Long – Định Tường). Under Bảo administration were: Phạm Phúc Thiệu – Vĩnh Long provincial governor, and Tô Trân – Định Tường provincial governor.[7]: 402  

By the 4th year under Tự Đức (1851), Vĩnh Long contained three prefectures: Định Viễn, Hoằng Trị, and Lạc Hóa, dividing to eight districts: Vĩnh Bình, Vĩnh Trị, Bảo Hựu, Bảo An, Tân Minh, Duy Minh, Tuân Mỹ, and Trà Vinh.[8]: 2–5 

Drawing of Vĩnh Long citadel in the Nguyễn dynasty

After August Revolution

In 1951, the Southern Resistance Administrative Committee of the Democratic Republic of Vietnam merged Vĩnh Long and Trà Vinh provinces into Vĩnh Trà province. Vinh Tra existed until 1954 (however, as North Vietnam never administered the area for a significant period of time, this arrangement was not enforced). In 1957, the South Vietnam formed Vĩnh Long province, consisting of six districts: Châu Thành, Chợ Lách (now part of Bến Tre province), Tam Bình, Bình Minh, Sa Đéc, and Lấp Vò. In 1961, Cái Nhum District was split from Chợ Lách. Đức Tôn District and Đức Thành District were added in 1962, but joined the newly formed Sa Đéc province in 1966. As of 1975, the province had seven districts: Châu Thành, Chợ Lách, Tam Bình, Bình Minh, Minh Đức, Trà Ôn, and Vũng Liêm.

After the fall of South Vietnam, the Socialist Republic of Vietnam merged Vĩnh Long with Trà Vinh province, forming Cửu Long province in 1976. In 1991, Cửu Long was again split into Vĩnh Long and Trà Vinh. At the time of the split, Vĩnh Long province consisted of one city (Vĩnh Long) and five districts: Long Hồ, Vũng Liêm, Bình Minh, Tam Bình, and Trà Ôn.

In 1992, Mang Thít District was re-split from Long Hồ District. In 2007, Bình Tân District was created.

On April 10, 2009, the Vietnamese Government issued Decree No. 16/ND-CP establishing Vĩnh Long City in Vĩnh Long Province, based on the entire natural area and population of Vĩnh Long Town.[9]

On June 12, 2025, the National Assembly passed Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15,[10] which took effect the same day, merging Bến Tre Province and Trà Vinh Province into Vĩnh Long Province.

Following the merger, Vĩnh Long covers 6,296.20 km2 and has a population of 4,257,581.

Geography

Lying between the Hậu River and Tiền River in the center of the Mekong Delta, Vĩnh Long is a province well known for fishing.

Administrative divisions

Vĩnh Long is subdivided into eight district-level sub-divisions:

  • 6 districts:

They are further subdivided into five commune-level towns (or townlets), 94 communes, and 10 wards.

Economy

Prawns and the Basa and Tra catfish are among the many types of fish that exist in abundance in the waters of Vĩnh Long. Its rich, fertile soil makes Vĩnh Long an ideal location for the growing of many exotic and delicious fruits, including the strange-looking mangosteen, the spikey rambutan and the pungently fragrant durian. Because of Vĩnh Long's extensive network of waterways, these fruits and many other items can be purchased for mere pennies from the huge water-based squadron of floating merchants.

Traveling by water is a common practice here for such mundane tasks as grocery shopping as well as getting to restaurants and tourist attractions located on small islets accessible only by boat. Tourist infrastructure is still in its infancy here, but comfortable lodging and great food can be had for very reasonable prices.

Transportation

Located approximately 135 kilometres (84 mi) southwest of Hồ Chí Minh City, Vĩnh Long is easily accessible by bus, van or car using National Route 1 and the Mỹ Thuận Bridge. Air travel is served by Cần Thơ International Airport which is approximately 40 kilometres (25 mi) south of Vĩnh Long. However, the province would also use Hồ Chí Minh City's Tân Sơn Nhất International Airport too.

Tourism

An Bình Island

An Bình Island (Cù lao An Bình), situated on the Tiền River, covers about 60 km² and is known for fertile orchards, homestays, and community-based tourism.[11] Notable sites include:

  • Fruit orchards where visitors can pick and taste tropical fruits.
  • Cai Cuong Ancient House
  • Tien Chau Pagoda
  • Vinh Sang Eco-tourism Area

Cultural and Heritage Sites

Notable Vĩnh Long residents

  • Ngọc Viên Ancestral Temple Vietnamese Mendicant Buddhist Sect
    Ngọc Viên Ancestral Temple Vietnamese Mendicant Buddhist Sect
  • Statue of Guanyin of the Nine Dragons
    Statue of Guanyin of the Nine Dragons
  • Công Thần Temple
    Công Thần Temple
  • Vĩnh Long Cathedral
    Vĩnh Long Cathedral
  • Văn Thánh Temple
    Văn Thánh Temple

Notes

  1. ^ Nặc Nguyên (Ang Snguon) died since 1755. Nặc Đôn (Ang Tong) succeeded and reigned till 1757.

References

  1. ^ a b Biểu số 4.6: Hiện trạng sử dụng đất vùng Đồng Bằng Sông Cửu Long năm 2022 [Table 4.6: Current land use status in the Mekong Delta in 2022] (PDF) (Decision 3048/QĐ-BTNMT) (in Vietnamese). Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment (Vietnam). 18 October 2023. – the data in the report are in hectares, rounded to integers
  2. ^ "Tình hình kinh tế, xã hội Vĩnh Long năm 2018". Cổng thông tin điện tử tỉnh Vĩnh Long. Retrieved 10 May 2020.
  3. ^ "Human Development Index by province(*) by Cities, provincies and Year". General Statistics Office of Vietnam. Retrieved September 28, 2024.
  4. ^ a b c Quốc Sử quán triều Nguyễn. "Đại Nam Thực Lục – Tiền Biên & Kỷ Thứ Nhất (1558 – 1819)". scribd.com. Translator: Nguyễn Ngọc Tỉnh, Editor: Đào Duy Anh – Viện Sử học & NXB Giáo dục – First Reprint 2002. Retrieved 7 February 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  5. ^ Trịnh Hoài Đức. "Gia Định thành thông chí" (PDF). thuvienlamdong.org.vn. Translator: Đỗ Mộng Khương & Nguyễn Ngọc Tỉnh, Editor: Đào Duy Anh – Viện Sử học & NXB Giáo dục – Published 1998. Retrieved 8 February 2026.
  6. ^ Huỳnh Minh. "Vĩnh Long xưa" (PDF). thuvienlamdong.org.vn. NXB Thanh Niên. Reprint 2002. Retrieved 10 February 2026.
  7. ^ a b Quốc Sử quán triều Nguyễn. "Đại Nam Thực Lục – Chính Biên – Tập 3" (PDF). thuvienhoasen.org. Translator: Đỗ Mộng Khương, Editor: Đào Duy Anh – Viện Sử học & NXB Giáo dục – First Reprint 2007. Retrieved 5 February 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  8. ^ "Đại Nam Nhất Thống Chí - Lục Tỉnh Nam Việt - Tập Hạ". archive.org. Translator: Tu Trai Nguyễn Tạo - Nha Văn hóa, Bộ Quốc gia Giáo dục - Published 1960. Retrieved 21 January 2026.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  9. ^ "Thành lập thành phố Vĩnh Long". baocantho.com.vn (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2024-11-05.
  10. ^ "Nghị quyết số 202/2025/QH15 về việc sắp xếp đơn vị hành chính cấp tỉnh". Cổng thông tin điện tử Quốc hội Việt Nam (in Vietnamese). Retrieved 2025-06-12.
  11. ^ "Vinh Long Attractions". Vinh Long Government. Retrieved 28 August 2025.
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