Northern Vietnam () is one of three geographical regions in Vietnam. It consists of three sub-regions: the Northwest (), the Northeast (), and the Red River Delta (). Unlike tropical Southern Vietnam, Northern Vietnam has a subtropical climate.
The region was historically referred to by various names in Vietnamese: Bắc Kỳ during the Nguyá» n dynasty, Bắc Bá» from 1945 to the present (encompassing the Empire of Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of Vietnam), and Bắc Phần, sometimes Bắc Viá»Ât, during the State of Vietnam.
It has a total area of about 109,942.9 km<sup>2</sup>. The region's largest city, Hanoi, serves as the country's capital. Among the three geographical regions, the oldest is Northern Vietnam. Vietnamese culture originated in the Red River Delta and the Kinh Vietnamese eventually spread south into the Mekong Delta.
Northern Vietnam includes three administrative regions, which in turn comprise 25 First Tier units.
Municipality (thành phá» trá»±c thuá»Âc trung ðáng)
Of all 25 First Tier units, two are municipalities and 23 are provinces.