Vietnam is grappling with one of its deadliest natural disasters in recent years after the death toll from severe flooding rose to 90, according to the country’s environment ministry. Another 12 people remain missing following days of relentless rain that pounded the south-central region beginning in late October.
Popular tourist destinations such as Nha Trang and Da Lat were among the hardest hit, with streets submerged and access roads cut off by deadly landslides. Entire neighborhoods in Nha Trang disappeared under floodwaters, while highland routes around Da Lat became impassable due to cascading soil and rock.
In Dak Lak province, which suffered the worst devastation, more than 60 fatalities have been recorded since November 16. Tens of thousands of homes were submerged, and four communes remain underwater as of Sunday. Local farmer Mach Van Si, 61, described a harrowing escape, recounting how he and his wife spent two nights trapped on the roof of their sheet-metal home. “Our neighborhood was completely destroyed. Nothing was left,” he said.
The floods also delivered a massive blow to agriculture. Over 80,000 hectares of rice and assorted crops across five provinces were destroyed, while an estimated 3.2 million livestock and poultry were killed or swept away. The economic toll has climbed to $343 million, with authorities warning that losses could rise as assessments continue.
Vietnam’s government has deployed tens of thousands of emergency personnel, using helicopters to drop aid to isolated communities. State media report that thousands of households remain without basic supplies, while blocked national highways and suspended railway sections continue to hinder rescue efforts. Electricity crews restored power to many areas, but over 129,000 customers were still without electricity on Sunday.
The country has already recorded 279 deaths or missing persons from natural disasters between January and October. Scientists warn that human-driven climate change is intensifying extreme weather patterns, making events like these floods more frequent and destructive.
As communities begin cleanup and recovery, officials emphasize the urgent need for stronger climate resilience and improved early warning systems to prevent future tragedies.
