Hoang Sa (Paracel) Islands District was established in January 1997. It is a coral archipelago about 170 nautical miles (315 km) to Da Nang.
Hoang Sa Islands District consists of the islands of Hoang Sa, Da Bac, Huu Nhat, Da Loi, Bach Quy, Tri Ton, Cay, Bac, Giua, Nam, Phu Lam, Linh Con, Quang Hoa, Con Bong Bay, Con Quan Sat, Con Cat Tay, Da Chim Yen, and Da Thap.
It has an area of 305 km2, accounting for 23.76% of the city’s total area (As per Statistical Yearbook of Da Nang 2010).
On 21 April 2009, the Chairman of the Da Nang People’s Committee, Mr Tran Van Minh, promulgated a decision to appoint Mr Dang Cong Ngu, Director of the city's Department of Home Affairs, as the Chairman of People’s Committee of Hoang Sa Islands District for the period 2009 - 2014.