The city is at the midpoint between the capital Hanoi and the major port Haiphong, and is part of the Northern Key Economic Zone.

[4] In feudal times, Hải Dương indicated a vast area from east of Hanoi to the sea.

This area corresponds to all of modern Hải Dương, Haiphong, most of Hưng Yên and the southwestern corner of Quảng Ninh.

Hải Dương city is in the middle of this historical area and was the location of a citadel defending the capital.

Because of this historical location, Thành Đông (eastern citadel) is a common nickname of Hải Dương.

With a total area of 1,648 km2 (636 sq mi), Hải Dương Province has one major city (Hải Dương) and eleven districts (Bình Giang, Cẩm Giàng, Chí Linh, Gia Lộc, Kim Thành, Kinh Môn, Nam Sách, Ninh Giang, Thanh Hà, Thanh Miện and Tứ Kỳ).

Nowadays, highways make it easier to commute between Haiphong, Hải Dương and Hanoi.