Vietnam Struggles With Severe Flooding: Deaths Reported, Tourists Trapped

Photo: Vietnamnet.vn

Central Vietnam is experiencing one of the most severe floods in recent years: over just three days, more than 1,500 mm of rainfall fell in several provinces. Torrential rains turned towns and villages into isolated islands, and rescue services have been working almost nonstop. As of November 20, 16 deaths have been confirmed, with several people reported missing, Reuters writes.

The National Disaster Management Agency reports that more than 43,000 homes have been flooded, and over 10,000 hectares of farmland are underwater. A key coffee-producing region was also hit hard: farms are submerged, access is blocked, and the harvest has effectively stopped. More than half a million households and businesses remain without electricity due to damaged power lines, and repair crews are unable to reach many areas — roads have been washed out, bridges closed, and the rains continue.

Khanh Hoa problems

State media are publishing images showing residents, including children, sitting on the roofs of flooded houses and calling for help through social networks. In a local group, a resident of Khanh Hoa Province wrote that her family spent the entire night on the roof as water rose to window level. In this area, rescuers evacuated three Russian tourists stranded in the flooded Tay Nha Trang neighborhood. The distress call came on the evening of November 18: two young Russians and their 62-year-old companion were trapped in a place that had become inaccessible due to fast-rising floodwaters.

The situation was complicated by the condition of the oldest tourist — she showed signs of severe exhaustion caused by an underlying chronic illness and was no longer able to move on her own. Six specialists equipped for deep-water and strong-current operations were dispatched to the scene. It took rescuers nearly two hours to fight their way through the strong current and bring the Russians to safety. After the evacuation, the woman received first aid on the spot, and the group later contacted their relatives with the help of the police. At the tourists’ request, transport was arranged to take them to a hotel in Nha Trang.

The bus with Russian tourists

In Dak Lak Province on November 18, a bus carrying 20 Russian tourists became stuck on a flooded bridge. Rescuers were unable to reach them for a long time. Reports said that the passengers were running out of food and water, and the bus had lost electricity. On November 20, the Russians were evacuated and moved to a dry section of the road, RIA
Novosti reports, but they could not continue their journey to Nha Trang because the next part of the route was also underwater. Other vehicles in the region were also reported stranded.

Russian diplomats noted that the situation in central Vietnam after days of heavy rain remains extremely difficult. All major rivers in the region have overflowed, and travel across many roads has become impossible. Railway service between Danang and Nha Trang has also been suspended. Russian citizens are advised to avoid long excursions because “it is an unjustified risk.”

Rescuing a child in Da Lat

Photos from Khanh Hoa, Gia Lai, and Dak Lak show entire neighborhoods submerged in muddy water, and rescuers report that many locations can only be reached by swimming or by boat. Naval units have been deployed to the region: water levels have reached record highs, and the situation remains highly unstable.

Meanwhile, landslides have intensified in mountainous areas. One of the most serious incidents occurred in Da Lat, where a powerful mudslide destroyed part of a residential house. A seven-year-old girl was trapped under the debris: rescuers located her by the hand visible from beneath the rubble. According to the Nhan Dan newspaper, the extraction operation lasted an hour and a half, after which the girl — with a broken leg — was taken to the hospital. Local authorities warn that the risk of new landslides remains high: the soil is oversaturated, and the rains are expected to continue.

Poor outlook

The National Weather Service warns that the weather situation may worsen in the coming days: new heavy rains are expected in central provinces, bringing a continued risk of flooding and landslides. Rescue teams are operating around the clock, but access to many settlements remains difficult due to washed-out roads and damaged infrastructure. Authorities urge residents to leave dangerous areas, but many people remain trapped in their homes and are waiting for evacuation.