The key arm of municipal government in Hải Phòng City, the third largest city in Việt Nam and one of five major municipalities which enjoy provincial status yet fall under the direct control of central government. Hải Phòng has a total area of 1,503 square kilometres and a population of just under 1.7 million people (1999). It incorporates four urban districts (quận) – Hồng Bàng, Lê Chân, Ngô Quyền and Kiến An – and eight rural districts (huyện) – An Hải, Thủy Nguyên, An Lão, Kiến Thụy, Tiên Lãng, Vĩnh Bảo, Cát Hải and Bạch Long Vỹ – and Đồ Sơn town.