A corner view from Lao Cai Coc Leu old bridge.

Lao Cai town formerly had a small market, it was gradually expanded into a mall. This first mall, according to the local language, was known as Lao Nhai (Pho Cu). Later people opened a different mall called Tan Nhai (Pho Moi). According to Professor Dao Duy Anh, Lao Nhai was normally pronounced as Lao Cai for a long time. In maps,  French wrote the Lao Kay standing for  Lao Cai. Laos Kay has been used in  texts and  seals by French. But in folk communication, people still called it Lao Cai. After  Lao Cai province was liberated (11-1950), the name “Lao Cai” is remained until today. After invading Lao Cai (March 1886) and the completion of the military pacification, the French ruled Lao Cai under military regime. On 7/01/1899, army infantry IV were established including military zone at  Yen Bai and Lao Cai. For ease of control and conducting, exploiting, the French divided the administrative areas and regime change. On 12/07/1907, Governor General of Indochina issued a decree directing annulled the military IV Lao Cai, transfering from the military regime to civilian rule, establishing Lao Cai Province. Lao Cai are determined on Vietnam map. Experiencing the ups and establishing civilian Lao Cai province (07/12/1907), Thuy Vy European portion of the right bank of the Red River merged into the sunset, still named Thuy Vy. downs, fluctuating of the history, administrative of Lao Cai  is changed. From that place no longer sunset. the land of Thuy Vy on the left bank of the Red River is separated, establishing  Bao Thang. Lao Cai Province includes Thuy Vy and Bao Thang , Muong Khuong, Phong Tho agents, Bat Xat, Bac Ha  (Pa Kha) and Lao Cai town, with 855 villages, 6,812 households, 39 099 persons, with 11 mainly ethnic groups are Mong, Dao, Tay, Giay ... in which Mong people  accounts for 26.56%, 22.41% Dao, Tay, Giay 20.77% Kinh 4.52%, 7.33% Nung , Thai 9.25%, 2.48% U Ní, Hoa Kieu 4.44%, the rest are other ethnicities.

A corner of Lao Cai city today.

- After Lao Cai province was liberated , Lao Cai province was divided into 8 districts of Bac Ha, Muong Khuong, Ban Lau, Bao Thang, Sa Pa, Bat Xat, Phong Tho and Lao Cai town.
- On 05.07.1955, Thai Meo Autonomous Region was established, Phong Tho district of Lao Cai Province switch to Thai Meo Autonomous Region, after of Lai Chau. province.
- On 03.27.1975, at the 2nd session of the V National Assembly resolution  incorporated three provinces of Lao Cai, Yen Bai, Nghia Lo into a new province named Hoang Lien Son.
- On 08/12/1991 the 9th session of the VIII National Assembly Resolution divided Hoang Lien Son provinces into two provinces: Yen Bai and Lao Cai
- On  01-10-1991 Lao Cai province was re-established, on the basis of land Lao Cai (old) and the addition of three districts of Bao Yen, Van Ban (Yen Bai), Than Uyen (Nghia Lo). At that time, Lao Cai consist of 8 districts, two towns.
- On 09/06/1992, the Council of Ministers decided to separated Lao Cai towns into two towns:Lao Cai and Cam Duong.
- On 12/30/2000, Bac Ha was divided into two districts of Bac Ha and Si Ma Cai.
- On 01/31/2002, the Prime Minister issued the Decree merging Lao Cai town and Cam Duong town into Lao Cai province
- On 1/01/2004, Than Uyen district was separated from Lai Chau province (new).
- On 11/30/2004, the Prime Minister issued Decree No. 195/2004/ND-CP on the establishment of Lao Cai city of  Lao Cai province.
 Currently, Lao Cai province  includes Lao Cai city and 8 districts of Bao Thang, Bao Yen, Bac Ha, Si Ma Cai and Muong Khuong, Sa Pa, Bat Xat, Van Ban. Natural area of ​​Lao Cai province is 6383.88 km2.