Gia Lai Province Name Change Explained
What Happened?
Administrative Merger
Vietnam reorganized its administrative divisions under Resolution 202/2025/QH15 (June 12, 2025) and Resolution 1664/NQ-UBTVQH15 (June 16, 2025). Binh Dinh Province (which included Quy Nhon City) was merged into Gia Lai Province, effective July 1, 2025 (Resolution 1664, Thư viện Nhà Đất). As a result:
- Quy Nhon City was reorganized into 5 new wards within Gia Lai Province
- Many public institutions were renamed to reflect the new province
What Changed?
Official Names
| Old Name (Binh Dinh) | New Name (Gia Lai, effective July 1, 2025) |
|---|---|
| Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province | 5 wards: Quy Nhơn, Quy Nhơn Đông, Quy Nhơn Tây, Quy Nhơn Nam, Quy Nhơn Bắc |
| Wards: Đống Đa, Hải Cảng, Thị Nại, Trần Phú | Merged into Phường Quy Nhơn (Quy Nhon Ward) |
| Nhơn Bình, Nhơn Hội, Nhơn Lý, Nhơn Hải | Merged into Phường Quy Nhơn Đông (includes Ky Co, Eo Gio) |
| Bùi Thị Xuân, Phước Mỹ | Merged into Phường Quy Nhơn Tây |
| Ngô Mây, Nguyễn Văn Cừ, Quang Trung, Ghềnh Ráng | Merged into Phường Quy Nhơn Nam |
| Trần Quang Diệu, Nhơn Phú | Merged into Phường Quy Nhơn Bắc |
| Binh Dinh Provincial General Hospital | Gia Lai Provincial Central General Hospital |
Sources: Resolution 1664/NQ-UBTVQH15, Thư viện Nhà Đất, Gia Lai Central Hospital official site
What Didn't Change
- City name: "Quy Nhon" itself is unchanged. Locals and tourists still call it Quy Nhon.
- Daily life: Residents, businesses, and culture are unaffected.
- Tourism: Beaches, attractions, and hotels operate normally.
Why Do Maps and Websites Still Say "Binh Dinh"?
Many sources haven't updated yet. The administrative merger is recent, and:
- Google Maps: May still show "Binh Dinh Province" or "Quy Nhon, Binh Dinh"
- Travel websites: Older content (pre-2025) uses "Binh Dinh"
- Hospital signage: Physical signs may not be updated yet
- Local usage: Residents still say "Binh Dinh" out of habit
This causes confusion for travelers researching Quy Nhon. You'll see both "Binh Dinh" and "Gia Lai" used interchangeably.
What Should Travelers Know?
For Official Documents
- Visas: Your hotel's address as written on its booking (either "Binh Dinh" or "Gia Lai" is accepted)
- Booking flights: Phu Cat Airport (UIH) is unchanged; location doesn't matter
- Hotels: Use "Quy Nhon" — the city name is sufficient
For Navigation
- Google Maps: Search "Quy Nhon" — it works regardless of province name
- Addresses: If an address says "Binh Dinh," it's now "Gia Lai" but the location is the same
For Healthcare
If you see "Binh Dinh Provincial Hospital" in older guides, know that it's now "Gia Lai Provincial Central General Hospital" (Bệnh viện Đa khoa Trung tâm tỉnh Gia Lai). Same hospital, same location, just a new name (official hospital website).
Historical Context: Binh Dinh Province
Binh Dinh was a historic province in central Vietnam, known for:
- Quy Nhon City (its capital and largest city)
- Cham civilization ruins (Thap Doi, Banh It Towers)
- Coastal economy (fishing, tourism)
Gia Lai Province, located to the west (Central Highlands), was historically inland and mountainous. The merger brings coastal and highland regions under one administration.
Will the Name Change Again?
Possibly. Vietnam has reorganized provinces before, and changes can be reversed or adjusted based on political and administrative needs. However, for now, "Quy Nhon, Gia Lai Province" is the official designation.
Summary
Key Takeaways
- Official name: 5 wards within Gia Lai Province: Quy Nhơn, Quy Nhơn Đông, Quy Nhơn Tây, Quy Nhơn Nam, Quy Nhơn Bắc (formerly Quy Nhon City, Binh Dinh Province)
- When: Effective July 1, 2025 (Resolution 202/2025/QH15 and Resolution 1664/NQ-UBTVQH15)
- What changed: Official province name, city reorganized into wards, and some institution names (e.g., hospitals)
- What didn't change: City name (still "Quy Nhon"), daily life, tourism, location
- Maps confusion: Many sources still use "Binh Dinh" because the change is recent
- For travelers: Just search "Quy Nhon" — you'll find it. Province name doesn't matter for practical travel.
Bottom line: Quy Nhon is now officially in Gia Lai Province, but the city itself is unchanged. Use either "Binh Dinh" or "Gia Lai" when searching — both will get you to the right place.
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