Lai Châu (listen^ⓘ) is a city in the Northwest region of Vietnam. It is the capital city of Lai Châu Province. The city borders Phong Thổ District, Sìn Hồ District và Tam Đường District.

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Quick Facts Thành phố Lai Châu, Country ...

Lai Châu Thành phố Lai Châu
City (Class-3)
Lai Châu City
Lai Châu City Lake
Lai Châu Location in Vietnam
Coordinates: 22°23′57″N 103°26′21″E
Country	Vietnam
Province	Lai Châu
Established town	10 October 2004
Established city	27 December 2013
Area [1]
• Total	92.37 km2 (35.66 sq mi)
Population  (2020)[1]
• Total	42,973
• Density	470/km2 (1,200/sq mi)
Time zone	UTC+7 (Indochina Time)
Climate	Cwa
Website	thanhpho.laichau.gov.vn

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Lai Châu, or Muang Lay (Vietnamese: Mường Lay) was the seat of lords of the White Tai who were dominant over other Thai peoples of the area, though there was rivalry between the White Tai rulers of Muang Lay and Muang So.^[2] During the 1870s Muang Lay was the base of lord Đèo Văn Trị of the White Tai who sought to unite and become chief of the 12 mường (Sino-Vietnamese: Châu / 州) making up the Sip Song Chau Tai. This he partially achieved, with the help first of the Chinese Black Flags, then later the French. His authority, and the autonomy of the area, was recognised by the French in 1890.

As of 2020 the city had a population of 42,973, covering an area of 92.37 km².^[1]

Lai Châu City is officially divided into 7 commune-level sub-divisions, including 5 wards (Đoàn Kết, Đông Phong, Quyết Thắng, Quyết Tiến, Tân Phong) and 2 rural communes (San Thàng, Sùng Phài).^[1]

Lai Châu has a humid subtropical climate (Köppen Cwa), typical for northwestern Vietnam, with hot, oppressively humid, and wet summers and warm to very warm, dry winters.