Vietnam floods leave 35 dead as torrential rains batter central provinces

Sunday 02 November 2025 - 09:26

By: Sahili Aya

Vietnam floods leave 35 dead as torrential rains batter central provinces

At least 35 people have died and five others remain missing after record rainfall and severe flooding swept through central Vietnam this week, authorities said on Sunday.

According to the Vietnam Disaster and Dike Management Authority (VDDMA), the victims were reported in the provinces of Hue, Da Nang, Lam Dong, and Quang Tri. The disaster has destroyed homes, farmland, and infrastructure, as authorities struggle to reach isolated communities.

The city of Hue, a popular tourist destination and former imperial capital, recorded historic rainfall levels of up to 1.7 meters in just 24 hours, submerging streets and entire neighborhoods.

In the ancient town of Hoi An, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, floodwaters rose to waist level, forcing residents to wade through submerged streets. Shops and homes were inundated, with many locals using boats to move through the city’s narrow alleys.

More than 16,500 homes remain flooded, while roads and bridges have been damaged or blocked by landslides. The Ministry of Environment reported that over 5,000 hectares of crops were destroyed and 16,000 cattle drowned during the floods.

Vietnam’s central coast, often hit by typhoons and heavy rains, has seen a sharp increase in extreme weather events, which scientists link to climate change.

Natural disasters — mainly floods, storms, and landslides — have already killed or left 187 people dead or missing in Vietnam in the first nine months of the year. Economic losses are estimated at around €525 million.