Severe floods hit Hue and Da Nang, leaving at least one dead and thousands isolated, Vietnam
Heavy rainfall caused widespread flooding and landslides across central Vietnam on October 27, 2025, affecting Hue City, Da Nang, and Quang Nam Province. At least one child died in Da Nang as rivers overflowed, hundreds of residents were evacuated, and water levels in Hue rose above alarm level 3 after more than 24 hours of intense rain.
Image credit: Đà Nẵng's Storm and Flood Prevention Center
Torrential rainfall continued across central Vietnam on October 27, producing severe flooding and landslides in the provinces of Thua Thien Hue, Da Nang, and Quang Nam. The prolonged downpours inundated urban and mountainous areas, caused river levels to surge, and forced large-scale evacuations.
Hue City recorded widespread flooding by midday Monday as major streets, including Le Quy Don, To Huu, and Nguyen Hue, were submerged under 0.5–1 m (1.6–3.3 feet) of water. Cars were stranded, and rescue teams used boats to navigate the inundated streets.
According to the Hue Civil Defense Command, both the Huong and Bo Rivers exceeded alarm level 3, reaching heights comparable to the 2023 floods. Hydroelectric and irrigation reservoirs in Thua Thien Hue were ordered to discharge water to maintain structural safety.
Preliminary readings from the provincial rain-gauge network Vrain indicated accumulations of several hundred millimetres across the province. An unverified station reading at the summit of Bach Ma Mountain in Phu Loc Commune suggested up to 1 300 mm (51 inches) within 24 hours. However, this figure has not been confirmed by the Vietnam Meteorological and Hydrological Administration (VMHA).
By noon, authorities had evacuated at least 730 people from low-lying wards including Hoa Chau, An Cuu, Thanh Thuy, Thuy Xuan, and Duong No to designated shelters. Chairman Phan Thien Dinh of the Hue City People’s Committee ordered ward officials to prioritize the evacuation of vulnerable residents and maintain supplies of food and medical materials. Military and police forces were placed on 24-hour standby.
According to the Vietnam News Agency, a 10-year-old schoolboy drowned in Tra Tap Commune, Da Nang, on the evening of October 26 after slipping into a drainage pipe while playing near floodwaters. Local rescue forces continued to assist 447 villagers in Thuong Duc Village as rising rivers isolated more than 3 800 people.
The Da Nang-based Storm and Flood Prevention Centre reported that continuous rainfall since last week has saturated soils, increasing the risk of new landslides on nine major routes in mountainous communes. Sections of National Road 24 near Ca Da Bridge were blocked by erosion, halting traffic between Da Nang and Quang Ngai.
In Hoi An, located downstream in Quang Nam Province, water levels along the Hoai River flooded parts of the ancient town. Residents used boats to travel between An Hoi Sculpture Park and the Old Quarter as authorities warned of further rises on the evening of October 27.
In a related weather-linked incident, the cargo vessel Thai Ha 8888 carrying 5 900 metric tons of cement from Nghi Son Port in Thanh Hoa Province to Van Phong Port in Khanh Hoa Province sank early on October 27 off Lang Co, approximately 2 km (1.2 miles) from Son Cha Island near Da Nang.
The ship encountered rough seas around 03:00 LT (20:00 UTC on October 26). All eight crew members, including captain Nguyen Van Dong, evacuated in two lifeboats and were rescued by the vessel Long Son 38 at 06:00 LT (23:00 UTC on October 26).
Officials reported that the captain was unable to close a 15 000-liter diesel tank before abandoning ship. Environmental teams are monitoring for possible fuel leakage and preparing containment measures.
Provincial meteorological offices warned that saturated soils, full reservoirs, and elevated river levels could prolong the flood situation through late October 28 if additional rainfall occurs. Mountain districts remain under high landslide risk advisories.
The combined reports from the Hue Civil Defense Command and the Vietnam News Agency confirm that central Vietnam is experiencing one of its most significant rainfall events of 2025, with impacts extending from the central coast to the highland foothills.
I am an Assistant Editor and Severe Weather & Science Journalist at The Watchers, specializing in real-time severe weather coverage, geophysical event reporting, and research-driven scientific analysis. You can reach me at rishav(at)watchers(.)news.
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