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Cà Mau An Xuyên, Minh Hải | |
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| Cà Mau province | |
   Clockwise from top:
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 Seal | |
| Nickname: Dark water | |
 Location of Cà Mau within Vietnam | |
| Coordinates:9°5′N105°5′E / 9.083°N 105.083°E /9.083; 105.083 | |
| Country |  Vietnam |
| Region | Mekong Delta |
| Capital | Cà Mau |
| Government | |
| • People's Council Chair | Nguyễn Tiến Hải |
| • People's Committee Chair | Phạm Thành Ngại |
| Area | |
• Total | 7,942.39 km2 (3,066.57 sq mi) |
| Population (2025)[2] | |
• Total | 2,606,672 |
| • Density | 328.197/km2 (850.027/sq mi) |
| Demographics | |
| • Ethnicities | Kinh,Khmer,Hoa,Châm |
| GDP[3] | |
| • Total | VND 53.229 trillion US$ 2.312 billion |
| Time zone | UTC+7 (ICT) |
| Area codes | 290 |
| ISO 3166 code | VN-59 |
| HDI (2020) |  0.687[4](46th) |
| Website | www |
Cà Mau is aprovince ofVietnam. It is located in theMekong Delta of southern Vietnam, and is the southernmost of Vietnam's 34 provinces. It is bordered to the north byAn Giang andCần Thơ Municipality, to the west by theGulf of Thailand, and to the south and east by theSouth China Sea.[5]
The province's very name, derived from the Khmer term for "black water," hints at the intricate network of canals that crisscross its landscape, shaping both its geography and its identity. Here, you'll discover the iconicMũi Cà Mau National Park, and the alluringHon Khoai Island. Cà Mau's low-lying terrain and monsoon climate nurture rich ecosystems, from sprawling mangrove forests to valuable cajuput woodlands. The province's culture thrives on its waterways, evident in its traditional craft villages, bustling floating markets, and the harmonious blend of Kinh, Khmer, and Chinese communities, creating a cultural tapestry as vibrant as the delta itself.[6]
During the feudal era, the land of Cà Mau remained largely wild and uninhabited.[7] According toGia Định Thành Thông Chí by Trịnh Hoài Đức, under the reign of EmperorGia Long, settlers had only begun to sparsely cultivate areas along rivers such as Ông Đốc, Gành Hào, and Bảy Háp.[6] By the time of Emperor Tự Đức, the region was still primarily covered with mangrove forests, with few inhabitants due to the scarcity of fresh water and the acidic nature of the soil. In the late17th century,General Mạc Cửu, along with a group of Chinese immigrants, settled in Hà Tiên and later submitted the territory to theNguyễn Lords.[6] His son, Mạc Thiên Tứ, established the Long Xuyên administrative unit.[8] In 1808 (the 7th year of Gia Long's reign), this unit was renamed Long Xuyên District, under Hà Tiên Prefecture.[9] By 1825 (the 6th year ofMinh Mạng’s reign), the imperial court appointed a district governor to administer the area.[6]
During the French colonial period, on June 15, 1867, the French established the Cà Mau administrative division (hạt) based on the former Long Xuyên District.[10] However, on August 1, 1877, this division was dissolved and merged into the Rạch Giá division.[10] On February 18, 1882, the French createdBạc Liêu Province by combining the Cà Mau area (previously part of Rạch Giá) with the Bạc Liêu area (formerly part ofSóc Trăng).[11] In 1903, the Cà Mau administrative agency was established, consisting of three cantons: Quảng Long, Quảng Xuyên, and Long Thủy.[11]
On May 16, 1911, Cà Mau was elevated to the status of a district underBạc Liêu Province.[6] By October 5, 1917, the district included two cantons: Quảng Xuyên and Quảng Long, along with villages from the Long Thủy canton. On April 6, 1923, part of Long Thủy canton was separated to establish a new canton called Long Thới, which took effect on January 1, 1924. On September 24, 1938, Quảng Xuyên canton was split off to form a new district.[11] On September 14, 1942, the Tân An administrative base was established. On April 5, 1944, Thới Bình District was created, and subsequently on October 6, 1944, it was renamed North Cà Mau District, while Quảng Xuyên District was renamed South Cà Mau District. Later, these two districts were merged back into a single Cà Mau District underBạc Liêu Province.[11]
Under theRepublic of Vietnam (South Vietnam), on March 9, 1956, the government established Cà Mau Province based on Cà Mau District and four communes fromGiá Rai District.[11][12] On October 22, 1956, according to Decree No. 143/VN, Cà Mau Province was renamedAn Xuyên Province, with its capital at Quản Long. At the same time, An Xuyên Commune was renamed Tân Xuyên, which became the location of the provincial capital, Quản Long. At that point, An Xuyên Province consisted of six districts: Quản Long, Thới Bình, Sông Ông Đốc, Cái Nước, Đầm Dơi, and Năm Căn.[12] However, the National Front for the Liberation of South Vietnam, and later the Provisional Revolutionary Government, continued to use the name Cà Mau.[12]
After April 30, 1975, Cà Mau Province was maintained with six districts: Thới Bình, Trần Văn Thời, Cái Nước, Ngọc Hiển, Châu Thành, Duyên Hải, and Cà Mau town.[12] On September 20, 1975, the Politburo issued Resolution 245-NQ/TW regarding the merger of provinces. According to this resolution, Cà Mau, Bạc Liêu, and two districts—Vĩnh Thuận and An Biên (excluding two communes)—from Rạch Giá were to be merged.[6] However, on December 20, 1975, Resolution 19/NQ revised the merger plan, and on January 1, 1976, Cà Mau Province and Bạc Liêu Province were officially merged under the initial name of Cà Mau - Bạc Liêu Province.[13]
On March 10, 1976, the province of Cà Mau - Bạc Liêu was renamedMinh Hải Province.[14][15] The provincial capital was Minh Hải town (formerly Bạc Liêu). In 1984, the provincial capital was moved to Cà Mau town, and the name Minh Hải town was reverted back to Bạc Liêu town.[11]
On November 6, 1996, the National Assembly passed a resolution to divide Minh Hải Province into two separate provinces: Cà Mau and Bạc Liêu, effective from January 1, 1997.[15][16] On April 14, 1999, Cà Mau town was upgraded toCà Mau City.[17] On November 17, 2003, Năm Căn District was re-established fromNgọc Hiển District, andPhú Tân District was re-established fromCái Nước District. Since then, Cà Mau Province has consisted of one city and eight districts. On August 6, 2010,Cà Mau City was officially recognized as a grade-II urban center under the province.[18]
On June 12, 2025, the National Assembly passed Resolution No. 202/2025/QH15,[19] which took effect the same day, mergingBạc Liêu Province into Cà Mau Province.
Following the merger, Cà Mau covers 7,942.39 km2 and has a population of 2,606,672.
Being surrounded by water on three sides, fishing is an important industry in Cà Mau province. An extensive network of canals also supports a strong agricultural sector, as well as providing a popular means of transport. The U Minh biosphere reserve and Mũi Cà Mau, the southernmost point of Vietnam, serve also as important tourist destinations. TheMũi Cà Mau National Park is located at Mũi Cà Mau.
Cà Mau is subdivided into nine ward-level sub-divisions and fifty-five communes:[20]
9 wards:
55 communes:
They are further subdivided into Hamlet/ Neighborhoods
(Total: 64)
In November 1997, theCà Mau Peninsula was struck byTyphoon Linda (Openg). Thousands of people were killed, and an estimated 200,000 homes were destroyed, along with much of the Cà Mau fishing fleet.[21]
Places adjacent to Cà Mau province | |
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