In
Vietnam, there are three kinds of third-level (commune-level) administrative subdivisions: the
rural commune , the
commune-level town ,and the
ward (, literal meaning: urban subdistrict). In Vietnam a rural commune is referred to as a
xã and urban communes are referred to as
Thị trấn, urban townships. However many communities, particularly large urban ones with provincial status, will be divided into wards which are known as
phường.