Lào Cai has been known since ancient times (more than ten thousand years) as a historic trading post . Under Hung Vuong Empire , Lao Cai was named Tan Hung- one of 15 regions of Van Lang State - an economic and political center at upstream of Red River. Under the Dinh, Ly, Tran, Le Empire, Lao Cai’s border was change dramatically.  By the Nguyen dynasty,  Lao Cai was mainly an area of Thuy Vy, Van Ban, an other part belonged to Chieu Tan and a  small part belonged to Luc Yen, Quy Hoa. At that period, Lao Cai today was not established.