CaliToday (12/10/2025): Northern Vietnam is facing a severe crisis as days of relentless, heavy rainfall have triggered historic floods across multiple provinces, leaving a trail of devastation and disrupting the lives of millions. Major urban centers and rural communities in provinces such as Hanoi, Thai Nguyen, and Bac Ninh are submerged under unprecedented levels of floodwater, prompting large-scale emergency responses and urgent recovery efforts.
The catastrophic flooding, described by meteorologists as one of the worst in recent memory, has transformed streets into rivers and isolated entire communities. Authorities are working around the clock to evacuate residents from dangerously inundated areas and provide essential aid as the region braces for the immense challenge of recovery.
Hanoi: The Capital Under Water
In Vietnam's capital, Hanoi, the situation is particularly dire. Numerous districts are experiencing deep and widespread inundation, paralyzing traffic and forcing residents to abandon their homes. In some of the hardest-hit areas, water levels have risen several meters, submerging ground floors and trapping people in their houses.
In response, the city's authorities have mobilized a fleet of special-purpose vehicles, including amphibious trucks and military-grade transports, to navigate the flooded streets and evacuate citizens to safer, temporary shelters. Emergency services are in a race against time to rescue the vulnerable and distribute food, water, and medical supplies. Recovery operations are being urgently implemented to drain the floodwaters and assist families in the arduous task of cleaning up and rebuilding their lives.
Bac Ninh: Villages Isolated by Swollen Rivers
In the neighboring province of Bac Ninh, the overflowing Thuong and Cau rivers have breached their banks, causing extensive flooding that has completely isolated numerous villages. The surging river waters have cut off roads and bridges, leaving communities stranded and accessible only by boat.
Residents have resorted to using makeshift rafts and small boats for essential travel and to receive relief supplies from aid workers and military personnel. Images from the region show entire hamlets surrounded by a vast expanse of brown water, with residents navigating the deluge to secure food and check on neighbors, highlighting both the scale of the disaster and the resilience of the local communities.
Thai Nguyen: Heavy Toll on Property and Infrastructure
The province of Thai Nguyen has suffered staggering material losses. The flash floods have overwhelmed urban and industrial areas, submerging hundreds of cars and causing significant damage to homes and businesses. Key transportation arteries have been severed, with many roads now impassable, complicating rescue and relief logistics. The financial impact on the province is expected to be substantial, with authorities already beginning to assess the heavy damage to public infrastructure and private property.
As the rain begins to subside in some areas, the full extent of the damage is only now becoming apparent. The immediate focus remains on humanitarian aid and ensuring the safety of all residents, but the road to recovery for Northern Vietnam will be long and challenging.
