Central Vietnam has been battered by relentless, record-breaking rainfall since Sunday, October 26, 2025, leaving devastation in its wake. Torrential downpours have led to severe flooding in popular tourist destinations such as Hue, Hoi An, and Da Nang, submerging homes, hotels, and entire neighborhoods under water. According to Vietnam’s environment ministry, more than 100,000 homes have been inundated, and at least ten people have lost their lives, while five remain missing as of Wednesday, October 29.
The scale of the disaster is staggering. In Hue, a city renowned for its imperial architecture and historic charm, 32 out of 40 communes were hit by floodwaters reaching up to two meters deep. Thousands of residents were evacuated, seeking shelter from the rising waters. "We must reach isolated areas and ensure people have food, drinking water, and essential supplies. No one should be left hungry or cold," Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh declared during an emergency online meeting, as reported by local media outlets. His words echoed the urgency felt throughout the region as authorities scrambled to respond.
It’s not just the cities that have suffered. The environment ministry noted that more than 150 landslides have been reported across the affected provinces, destroying infrastructure and blocking access to remote communities. In addition, 2,200 hectares (about 5,400 acres) of crops were wiped out, compounding the hardship for local farmers. The General Statistics Office revealed that, in the first nine months of 2025 alone, storms, floods, and landslides had already left 187 people dead or missing in Vietnam, with more than 240,000 hectares of crops destroyed and 38,000 homes collapsed or damaged. The estimated economic toll for the year stands at over $610 million—a sobering figure that underscores the mounting costs of extreme weather events.
The rainfall itself has been unprecedented. Central Vietnam’s coastal provinces recorded up to 1.7 meters (5 feet 7 inches) of rain in just a 24-hour period—a deluge that overwhelmed drainage systems and left entire districts underwater. As the waters surged, more than 21,000 people were evacuated from flood zones, especially in Hue, where the situation grew dire. By Wednesday morning, some evacuees began returning home as floodwaters receded, only to be met by renewed rainfall later in the day. This forced the local hydropower plant to discharge water from its reservoirs, raising fresh concerns about downstream flooding.
Elsewhere, the city of Da Nang faced its own mounting crisis. The environment ministry forecast that Da Nang would experience further flooding over the next two days, with rivers swollen to alarming levels. The National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicted “scattered showers and thunderstorms” through Friday, with the possibility of tornadoes and strong gusts of wind reaching levels 6-7 during storms. Waves up to five meters high were expected in the North East Sea on October 29 and 30, according to the agency’s latest bulletin.
Travelers, both local and international, have not been spared from the chaos. While flights to and from the airports in Hue and Da Nang continued as scheduled as of Wednesday morning, state media reported that Vietnam Railways Corporation had suspended train services between Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City due to damaged tracks and unsafe conditions. More than 306,000 households and businesses across Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Tri provinces experienced power outages, leaving many in the dark as they waited for the waters to recede.
Tourists stranded in flood-hit areas were being evacuated by boat, with some hotels and guesthouses transformed into temporary shelters. The U.S. Embassy in Vietnam issued a stark warning to American citizens, urging them to "maintain caution and follow the directions of local authorities" as heavy rains and flooding from Tropical Depression Fengshen continued. The embassy also noted that the Vietnamese National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting predicted "heavy to very heavy rainfall will continue through late Wednesday, October 29, from southern Quang Tri to Da Nang, bordering Hue to the north and south, and the eastern part of Quang Ngai to the south of Da Nang. As a result of these rains, residents should expect continued risk of flooding, flash floods, and landslides."
British travelers received similar advice. The UK Foreign Office updated its travel guidance, warning that "the tropical storm season runs from May to November. Tropical storms can cause serious travel disruption, 2025 has seen higher than expected rainfall in Vietnam." The FCDO urged visitors to "follow and monitor local and international weather updates from the National Centre for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting and Japan Meteorological Agency, and follow the advice of local authorities." They also reminded travelers to "be prepared to change your travel plans on short notice" and to stay informed about regional weather forecasts, especially during the volatile storm season.
For those hoping to cancel their holidays and seek refunds, the situation is complicated. As of October 29, the Foreign Office had not advised against non-essential travel to Vietnam, meaning there are no special circumstances in place for automatic refunds. Holidaymakers are advised to check with their providers, as cancellation rights depend on individual booking terms. Travel insurance may cover natural disasters in some cases, but only if the event prevents travelers from reaching their destination and if such cover is explicitly included in their policy.
Scientists and environmental experts have pointed to human-driven climate change as a key factor behind the increasing frequency and severity of such extreme weather events in Vietnam. As reported by Reuters, "Scientists say human-driven climate change is making extreme weather events such as storms and floods more deadly and destructive." The past year has seen a worrying uptick in natural disasters across the country, leaving communities grappling with loss and uncertainty.
Despite the challenges, the resilience of the Vietnamese people has been on full display. As waters recede in some areas, evacuees are returning home to assess the damage, clean up, and begin the long process of rebuilding. Local authorities, with support from the central government, have mobilized resources for emergency relief, distributing food, water, and essential supplies to those in need. Yet, with more rain in the forecast and rivers still dangerously high, the threat is far from over.
For now, central Vietnam remains on high alert. The coming days will test the region’s preparedness and the strength of its communities. As officials and residents alike keep a wary eye on the skies, one thing is clear: in a year marked by record rainfall and mounting losses, the people of Vietnam are bracing for whatever comes next.
