In Vietnam, there are three kinds of third-level (commune-level) administrative subdivisions: the rural commune (Vietnamese: xã), the commune-level town (Vietnamese: thị trấn), and the ward (Vietnamese: phường, 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.