The city is a settlement along the banks of the Red River, approximately 183 km northwest of Hanoi.

On April 11, 1900, Yen Bai province was established by the French colonialist government.

The city grew in size with the opening of the Hanoi–Lào Cai railway, which attracted many migrants.

This incident led to widespread disturbances against French rule across northeastern Vietnam during 1930–31.

This article about a location in Yên Bái Province, Vietnam is a stub.