Vinh Linh District - Administrative Divisions

Administrative Divisions

The district is subdivised into 2 towships (thị trấn Bến Quan and Hồ Xá (district seat)) and 20 communes (xã): Vĩnh Ô, Vĩnh Khê, Vĩnh Hà, Vĩnh Long, Vĩnh Chấp, Vĩnh Lâm, Vĩnh Sơn, Vĩnh Thủy, Vĩnh Nam, Vĩnh Trung, Vĩnh Tú, Vĩnh Thái,Vĩnh Hiền, Vĩnh Hòa, Vĩnh Thạch, Vĩnh Kim, Vĩnh Quang, Vĩnh Giang, Vĩnh Tân, Vĩnh Thành. Vinh Linh was the site of the Seventeenth parallel, the temporary borderline between North Vietnam and South Vietnam in Vietnam War. The Ben Hai River and Hien Luong Bridge are located here. To the north of this district is Le Thuy District of Quang Binh Province, to the south is Gio Linh. The National Road 1A and North-South Railway cross Vinh Linh.

As of 2003 the district had a population of 88,243. The district covers an area of 647 km². The district capital lies at Ho Xa. Around 1,000 of the population are Montagnards.

The district was formerly known as Ma Linh, Chiêu Linh, Minh Lương and Minh Linh. The first two names were used when the area was part of Champa before the southwards expansion of Vietnam. In 1831, the Nguyễn Dynasty established Quảng Trị Province, and made Vinh Linh tha administrative headquarters. The district was split during the Partition of Vietnam

In 2004 Con Co island was split out of the district to become its own district.

The district has locations that are heritage-listed, including some of a national level of importance, such as the Hien Luong shores, Vinh Moc tunnels, Hien Luong Bridge and Ben Hai River

The old-growth forest of Ru Linh and the Cua Tung beach are also in the district.

Agriculture is the main economic activity in the area, accounting for 51% of the production. Industry accounts for 28% and tertiary activities 21%. The main products include prawns, rice, pepper, rubber, mahogany and ironwood.

The district is served by National Road 1A and the North-South Railway, both of which run through the territory.