Record-breaking rainfall has triggered catastrophic flooding across central Vietnam, submerging historic cities and critical infrastructure, and forcing tens of thousands of evacuations.
The former imperial capital of Hue, a UNESCO World Heritage site, experienced an unprecedented 1,085 millimeters (over 42 inches) of rain within a 24-hour period on Monday evening. This marks the highest rainfall ever recorded in Vietnam’s history.
By Tuesday morning, the Perfume River, a symbol of Hue, had risen to 4.62 meters, leaving the city’s ancient quarters and homes waist-deep in water. The ancient town of Hoi An, another UNESCO site, also faced severe inundation.
The Hoai River in Hoi An rose nearly two meters due to heavy downpours and water released from hydropower dams.
Approximately 40,000 tourists were evacuated to hotels outside the flooded zones, many by boat in Hoi An.
“Water rose very quickly, and we had to move guests to other hotels outside the flooded area quickly for safety,” said Nguyen Ngoc Anh, a hotel owner near the Thu Bon River in Hoi An. He added that staff could only secure hotel doors before leaving.
The floods have paralyzed major transportation routes. Numerous main roads in Hue are impassable, requiring residents to use boats for local travel.
The primary railway line connecting the northern capital, Hanoi, with Ho Chi Minh City in the south, has been temporarily suspended, affecting thousands of passengers.
To prevent structural damage, Vietnam Railways deployed 19 train carriages loaded with 980 tons of rocks onto a bridge on Monday night, bracing it against the powerful floodwaters.
Beyond the urban centers, an estimated 1,000 people in rural areas of Thua Thien Hue province have been cut off by floods and landslides. The Australian-based Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation reported that this includes 200 children under its care.
Experts attribute the increasing intensity of tropical storms and heavy rainfall to global warming. Warmer oceans fuel stronger winds and greater precipitation, significantly altering rainfall patterns across East Asia.
Vietnam is considered one of the most flood-prone nations globally. Nearly half its population resides in high-risk areas.