Territorially, Vietnam is divided into 34 first-level administrative units, consisting of 28 provinces and 6 cities (). These cities, while on the same first-level as provinces, are distinguished by their larger populations and urbanized infrastructure. Functioning as municipalities, Vietnamese cities are then divided into wards and communes, with some cities having special zones to administer islands within Vietnamese sovereignty.
Cities in Vietnam do not fit in the strict definitions of the term itself; instead, they are generally understood as administrative subdivisions directly run by the Government of Vietnam rather than being subordinate to provincial administrations.
The list consists of places that have been granted city status by resolution of the National Assembly of Vietnam.
Prior to the amendment of the Constitution on June 16, 2025, Vietnamese cities were divided into two main administrative types: Centrally Governed Cities and Provincial Cities (). Notably, Municipal Cities () were considered district-level administrative units within the municipalities.
Cities were further assessed and categorized under the urban area classification resolution, which includes six classes: Special (), Class , Class , Class , Class and Class . Municipalities and Municipal Cities were given Class (With the exception of Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City being Special Class). Provincial Cities were assigned Class , Class , Class depending on classification criteria.
After the amendment of the Constitution, Centrally Governed Cities became the only administrative units that are defined as 'cities.' The amendment resulted in the dissolution of provincial cities, which rendered the urban area classification resolution outdated. On August 23, 2025, the Ministry of Construction published a draft resolution, aimed at addressing the problem, for public opinion gathering.