The new city includes all seven commune-level administrative units of the former Lai Chau town, which currently has a population of 52,500 people and an area of over 7,000 hectares.
With the establishment of Lai Chau city, Lai Chau province encompasses a total natural area of 906,880 hectares, a population of 414,140, eight district-level administrative units and 108 commune-level administrative units.
Lai Chau city is located about 70 kilometres from Sapa town, Lao Cai province and about 450 kilometres from Hanoi.
