Lào Cai is a city in the Northwest region of Vietnam. It is the capital of Lào Cai Province. The city borders Bảo Thắng District, Bát Xát District, Sa Pa and the city of Hekou Yao Autonomous County, in Yunnan province of southwest China. It lies at the junction of the Red River (Sông Hồng) and the Nanxi River (Yunnan), approximately 160 miles (260 km) northwest of Hanoi.
Lào Cai has a dry-winter humid subtropical climate, similar to most of Northern Vietnam.
As of 2020 the city had a population of 130,671, covering an area of 282.13 km2.
Lào Cai City is traversed by two rivers. The Nậm Thi River flows around the northern part of the province, also serving as the natural border with China. Its clear blue waters flow year-round, providing a vital water source for the city. The Nậm Thi River converges with the Red River at the border between Lào Cai City and China. After merging with the Nậm Thi, the Red River flows entirely into Vietnamese territory, bringing rich alluvium to the Red River Delta. Lào Cai City is situated on both banks of the Red River. Various bridges such as Cốc Lếu Bridge and Phố Mới Bridge span the river, connecting the two parts of the city.
Lào Cai City is officially divided into 17 commune-level sub-divisions, including 10 wards (Bắc Cường, Bắc Lệnh, Bình Minh, Cốc Lếu, Duyên Hải, Kim Tân, Lào Cai, Nam Cường, Pom Hán, and Xuân Tăng) and 7 rural communes (Cam Đường, Cốc San, Đồng Tuyển, Hợp Thành, Tả Phời, Thống Nhất, Vạn Hòa).
Currently, the city of Lao Cai has conducted embankment works along both banks of the Red River, creating a beautiful landscape that serves as a highlight for the city. The area adjacent to the right bank of the Red River in the north of the city has been subdivided for the construction of villas. The previously uninhabited hills between Lao Cai town and Cam Duong commune are now being developed into a new urban area - Lao Cai - Cam Duong urban area, intended to become the new center of the city. Provincial government offices have already begun relocating here. A 58-meter-wide thoroughfare with four lanes, Tran Hung Dao Avenue, traversing the new urban area, stands as a significant landmark for the city.
The city of Lao Cai also serves as the final station on the Hanoi - Lao Cai railway line. From here, travelers can transfer to China via road or even by international through-train services. In the north, only two provinces, Lang Son and Lao Cai, have such favorable conditions for cross-border transportation.