Post by : Rameen Ariff

Heavy rains in central Vietnam have triggered severe flooding across several provinces, leaving tens of thousands displaced and causing widespread damage in major tourist destinations like Hue and Hoi An. According to the government’s disaster management agency, rainfall in some areas of Hue and Hoi An exceeded 1,000 millimetres within 24 hours, setting a new record for the region.

The flooding in central Vietnam has particularly hit the UNESCO-listed cities of Hue and Hoi An, two of the country’s top tourist attractions. Streets, markets, and homes have been submerged under deep floodwaters, and rescue teams have been using boats to evacuate stranded residents and tourists. Authorities confirmed that several areas in Hue were underwater, with flood depths reaching between 1 and 2 metres.

Officials said the flood levels in Hue were among the highest ever recorded. The heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam have led to the evacuation of tens of thousands of people across multiple provinces. Transportation networks have been heavily disrupted, with key roads impassable and power outages affecting more than 306,000 households in Hue, Danang, and Quang Tri provinces.

Images shared by state media showed dramatic scenes of Hoi An’s old town submerged in muddy waters, with boats replacing motorbikes as the main mode of transport. Historic houses, cafes, and souvenir shops — usually bustling with tourists — were left partly underwater, highlighting the growing toll of climate-related disasters in the region.

The government warned that water levels in major rivers across central Vietnam are still rising, and flooding could worsen over the coming days, increasing the risk of landslides in mountainous areas. Authorities have urged residents in low-lying zones to move to higher ground and advised caution as rescue efforts continue.

The flooding in central Vietnam has also affected national infrastructure. The state-run Vietnam Railways Corporation temporarily suspended services between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City due to submerged tracks and safety concerns. In addition, widespread power cuts have left businesses and hospitals struggling to operate, with emergency generators running nonstop in several provinces.

Natural disasters are a recurring threat in Vietnam, which often faces deadly floods, landslides, and storms during the annual monsoon season between June and October. In the first nine months of 2025 alone, natural disasters in Vietnam claimed 187 lives and caused property damage worth 16.1 trillion dong (around $611 million), according to official statistics.

Meteorologists have forecast continued heavy rainfall in central Vietnam this week, warning that rivers in Hue, Quang Tri, and Danang could overflow further. The government has mobilized army units, disaster response teams, and volunteers to assist with evacuations and distribute emergency supplies to affected families.

Experts say the flooding in central Vietnam underscores the country’s growing vulnerability to extreme weather events worsened by climate change. With tourism, agriculture, and transportation all severely affected, local economies are expected to face long-term recovery challenges even after the water recedes.

#Global