If you’ve ever tried to send a package to Vietnam or fill out a form with a local address, you’ve probably run into confusing elements, like slashed alley numbers or unfamiliar terms like “wards” and “communes.” As of July 1, 2025, Vietnam officially removed district-level divisions and restructured its administrative units, making it even more important to get the Vietnamese address format right. Whether you’re a wholesale buyer, global supplier, or logistics partner working with Vietnam, this guide will help you navigate the updated system with clarity and confidence.
Quick Summary
- Vietnamese address format changed in July 2025, districts were removed and provinces were consolidated.
- Knowing the correct structure ensures accurate deliveries and cleaner data for forms, CRMs, and logistics.
- Alley numbers, ward names, and postal codes are now key for navigation and shipment success.
- Essential reading for international buyers, suppliers, and anyone planning a visit or factory tour in Vietnam.
Understanding Vietnamese Address Structure
Vietnamese addresses typically follow this order (from smallest to largest unit):
[House Number] + [Street Name] + [Ward/Commune] + [City/Province] + [Postal Code] + [Country]
Important Update (Effective July 1, 2025):
Vietnam no longer uses district-level units (like “District 3” or “Huyện Ben Cat”) in official addresses. These have been removed from the standard format to streamline the country’s two-tier governance system.
When formatting addresses going forward, skip the district line and include only the ward/commune, city/province, and postal code.
Here’s a breakdown of each component:
- House Number & Alley (Hem/Hẻm): Many homes, especially in major cities, are located down alleys. These alleys are often marked with slashes (e.g., 90/19/5), indicating the branching sequence off the main street.
- Street Name (Đường): Follows the house number and may sometimes include directional suffixes or be repeated across districts.
- Ward/Commune (Phường/Xã): Wards are urban sub-units; communes are their rural equivalents. Each city or district is divided into several wards or communes.
- City/Province (Thành phố/Tỉnh): Vietnam has 6 central municipalities (like Hanoi and HCMC) and 34 provinces.
- Postal Code (Mã bưu chính): A 5-digit number that helps identify the ward and province.
- Country: Always end with “Vietnam” if sending internationally.
Vietnamese Address Examples by Region
1. Urban Areas (e.g., Ho Chi Minh City, Hanoi)
Urban addresses can be dense and complex due to alleys and subdivisions. For example:
29 Pham Ngoc Thach Street,
Phuong Tan Hung,
Ho Chi Minh City 700000,
Vietnam
2. Alley Addressing Example
90/19/5 Ly Thuong Kiet Street,
Ward 7,
Ho Chi Minh City 700000,
Vietnam
Here:
- 90 is the main house on the street
- 19 is a branch alley
- 5 is the final house number off alley 19
This system can go multiple layers deep depending on the urban layout.
3. Rural Areas (e.g., Mekong Delta, Highlands)
Lo O Hamlet,
An Tay Commune,
Binh Duong Province 822000,
Vietnam
Postal Codes in Vietnamese Address Format
Vietnam’s postal codes are 5 digits long and play a key role in identifying the destination.
Postal Code Structure
- The first two digits indicate the province or municipality.
- The next three digits pinpoint the ward or commune.
For example:
- 700000 = Ho Chi Minh City
- 100000 = Hanoi
- 822000 = Binh Duong Province
Postal codes are essential for mail delivery, logistics, and e-commerce shipping. Always include them when entering addresses into systems or shipping labels.
Reading & Writing Vietnamese Addresses
Writing and interpreting a Vietnamese address can be confusing if you’re unfamiliar with the local structure and naming conventions. While the Vietnamese address format is now more streamlined post-July 2025, understanding each component is key, especially for expats, international businesses, and developers working with address data.
Vietnamese vs. English Order
In Vietnamese, the address is written from the specific to the general, while in English it’s typically reversed. When translating Vietnamese addresses into English, be sure to flip the order so the country appears last.
- Vietnamese: Số 45A, đường Nguyễn Đình Chiểu, phường Đa Kao, TP. Hồ Chí Minh
- English: 45A Nguyen Dinh Chieu Street, Da Kao Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam
Transliteration Tips
- Drop diacritics when writing in English.
- Translate common words like “Đường” (Street), “Phường” (Ward), “Tỉnh” (Province), and “Thành phố” (City).
- Use official English names for major cities (e.g., Ho Chi Minh City, not Saigon).
Why International Buyers & Partners Should Understand the Vietnamese Address Format
If you’re a supplier, wholesaler, or logistics partner working with Vietnamese businesses or manufacturers, getting familiar with how Vietnamese addresses work isn’t just a detail, it’s a crucial part of doing business effectively.
1. Avoid Delivery Errors
Incorrect or outdated address formatting can lead to missed shipments, delays at customs, or failed first attempts, especially when working with alley-based factories or rural suppliers.
2. Coordinate Factory Visits with Confidence
Planning an in-person visit to a Vietnamese factory or supplier? Many are located deep inside industrial zones or local neighborhoods. A properly structured address, with the correct ward/commune and updated post-2025 province format, makes it easier for your driver, translator, or Grab car to locate the site precisely. Google Maps often requires a complete and accurate address to show the correct location.
3. Standardize Data Across Systems
When syncing address data across shipping platforms, invoices, customs forms, and CRMs, using the correct Vietnamese format ensures alignment and reduces friction across time zones and platforms.
4. Show Professionalism and Build Trust
Being able to accurately read and write your Vietnamese partner’s address demonstrates that you understand local logistics. It signals respect, reduces back-and-forth emails, and builds confidence in your working relationship.
Mastering Vietnamese Addresses in a New Era
Getting the Vietnamese address format right isn’t just about logistics, it’s about making operations smoother and relationships stronger. Whether you’re verifying shipping details, planning a factory visit, or integrating local forms into your international platform, learning how Vietnamese addresses work gives you an edge, and shows your partners you care about doing things right.
At VALO Vietnam, we help international buyers and partners localize their operations with precision. From address validation to logistics optimization, we’re your on-the-ground ally in Vietnam’s evolving marketplace.
Need help bridging the gap between global systems and local details? Connect with VALO Vietnam and let’s build smarter, faster, and more reliable supply chains together.
FAQs About Vietnamese Address Format
1. What is the correct format for a Vietnamese address in 2025 and beyond?
As of July 1, 2025, the standard Vietnamese address format is:
[House Number + Street], [Ward/Commune], [City/Province], [Postal Code], Vietnam.
Districts are no longer part of the official address structure.
2. Do I still need to include the postal code in a Vietnamese address?
Yes. Postal codes in Vietnam are 5 digits and should always be included to ensure accurate delivery, especially when dealing with logistics or e-commerce.
3. What does the slash in Vietnamese addresses mean?
Slashes indicate alleyways. For example, 90/12/5 means:
- 90 is the main house or alley
- 12 is a sub-alley
- 5 is the house number in that sub-alley
It’s essential for precise navigation in urban areas.
4. Can I still use “District 1” or “Quận 1” in addresses?
Officially, no. As of July 2025, districts have been removed from Vietnam’s standard address format. However, some local residents or older systems may still reference them informally.
5. How do I write a Vietnamese address in English?
Translate the components and remove diacritics. For example:
“Số 12, Đường Lê Lợi, Phường Bến Nghé” becomes
“12 Le Loi Street, Ben Nghe Ward, Ho Chi Minh City 700000, Vietnam.”
6. How can I verify a Vietnamese address?
Use Google Maps, ask for the Vietnamese version of the address, or validate it through the Vietnam Post website. For business systems, consider an address validation API.
7. Why is it important for international buyers to understand the address format?
Knowing the correct format helps avoid delivery errors, streamlines factory visits, and improves communication with local partners. It also shows professionalism and attention to detail when working with Vietnamese suppliers.