Flood in Central Vietnam: A Real Look at the Disaster, the Pain, and the Strength Behind It

2025-11-25

Usually, we love to tell you stories about breathtaking coastal rides, the mouth - watering street food found in night markets, or the feeling of freedom as you glide on a vintage Vespa through the heart of Vietnam. But today, we ask for your permission to set those happy stories aside for a moment.

Our hearts are heavy. Central Vietnam - the place we call home, the region that welcomes millions of international friends every year-is hurting deeply. This raining season has been unrelenting, the rain hasn't stopped falling, the water hasn't stopped rising, and houses are slowly disappearing beneath the floodwaters. But amidst the cold rain, the flame of Vietnamese human kindness is burning brighter than ever.

If you are seeing the news headlines and wondering what is really happening behind the travel postcards, this is the honest story about the flood in Central Vietnam directly from the ground.

1. Flood in Central Vietnam: When Rain Turns into a Fight for Survival

Make no mistake, these are not the romantic tropical showers you might be used to. Central Vietnam and the Central Highlands are enduring their darkest days due to the impact of Typhoon No. 13 followed by unprecedented, prolonged historic rainfall.

Residents queue for relief aid

The heartbreaking loss: it breaks our hearts to share that the morning news is no longer about weather forecasts, but about casualty numbers. As of the latest updates, the flood in Central Vietnam has claimed 102 lives, with many still missing. The province of Dak Lak, usually a peaceful land, has suffered the heaviest loss with 63 fatalities.

The North-South railway is paralyzed

When villages turn into rivers: imagine entire villages completely cut off from the outside world. At the peak of the flood, over 186,000 houses were submerged deep underwater. Landslides have torn through national highways, and the North-South railway is paralyzed, turning many areas into isolated "islands" amidst swirling red waters.

Livestock belonging to Lam Dong residents swept away by floods

Future washed away: for a Vietnamese farmer, a buffalo or a garden is a lifetime of savings. Yet, the fierce floods have swept away over 3.3 million livestock and poultry and submerged over 80,000 hectares of rice and crops. The "fishing rods" (livelihoods) of thousands of families vanished in just a few nights. The total economic damage is preliminarily estimated at over 13,000 billion VND.

2. How Vietnam Is Standing Together Against the Flood in Central Vietnam

In Vietnam, we have a proverb: "Lá lành đùm lá rách" (The intact leaves protect the tattered ones). When one part of the land is in pain, the whole country stands up. The gloomy picture of the storm and flooding is being lit up by solidarity from the highest levels down to ordinary citizens.

The government is holding a moment of silence for those who lost their lives in the floods

Even while on diplomatic missions abroad in South Africa, Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh chaired emergency meetings through the night via online screens to direct rescue efforts. A directive from the heart was issued immediately: The government urgently allocated 1,100 billion VND and released 4,000 tons of rice from national reserves to the regions hit hardest by the flood in Central Vietnam, determined not to let a single citizen go hungry. In Hanoi, National Assembly leaders stood for a minute of silence and donated their day's salary directly to the cause.

Soldiers join forces with Dak Lak in disaster recovery efforts

On the ground, heroes in uniform were the first to rush into the currents. Over 177,000 shifts of police officers and thousands of soldiers have been mobilized. When boats were rendered helpless by the strong currents, 3 helicopters were deployed to cut through the wind, dropping food supplies to villages isolated deep in the mountains.

Campaign called "Mien Trung Yeu Thuong" (Central Vietnam with Love)

But what makes us most proud is not just the numbers, but the way Vietnamese people love one another. A special campaign called "Mien Trung Yeu Thuong" (Central Vietnam with Love) was launched, utilizing a digital platform (mientrungyeuthuong.vn) to update relief needs in real-time. This technology ensures that aid reaches exactly the right hands.

Corporation join hands to support the people

While big corporations like Vingroup pledged support totaling 1,000 billion VND and Vinamilk immediately sent 48 tons of milk and water.

People across Vietnam join hands to provide relief to the Central region

In the North, grandmothers and mothers stayed awake all night by the fire cooking thousands of Bánh Chưng (sticky rice cakes) to send to the flood zones. From the South, despite the distance, endless convoys of relief trucks began their sleepless journey, carrying the warmth and support of the South to their compatriots.

All of this creates a combined strength, a solid wall to shelter Central Vietnam through this fierce storm.

3. How You Can Help: Be a Part of Our Recovery

You might be thousands of miles away, but your empathy and support can be a lifeline for a family in distress due to the Central Vietnam floods. Here are 3 practical ways you can help Vietnam right now:

Way 1: Financial Donation (The most flexible aid)

Rebuilding homes and schools requires immense resources. We recommend entrusting your support to transparent organizations that work directly on the ground to mitigate the impact of the flood in Central Vietnam and accept international payments (Visa, Mastercard, PayPal):

Blue Dragon Children’s Foundation:

What they do: Famous for their mission to rescue street children. During floods, they pivot to emergency relief: repairing collapsed houses and buying books and uniforms so children in flood zones can return to school sooner.
How to donate: You can donate directly via their website.

The Hope Foundation (Quỹ Hy Vọng):

The Hope Foundation

What they do: Operated by VnExpress (Vietnam's most prestigious e-newspaper). This fund focuses on sustainable recovery projects such as rebuilding flood-resistant schools and concrete bridges to replace bamboo bridges swept away by water.
How to donate: Their website has an integrated payment gateway for international cards, ensuring your money goes to the right reconstruction projects.

Way 2: Fuel the Economic Recovery - Visit When the Storm Clears

Visit When the Storm Clears in Central Vietnam

Emergency aid helps us survive today, but economic development is what helps us thrive tomorrow. Tourism is the engine that drives the growth of Central Vietnam.

The most powerful way you can help this region stand tall again is to become a part of its economic revival. When the storm passes and the floodwaters recede, we look forward to welcoming you back. Please plan your trip for when the sun shines.

By visiting, you are doing more than just traveling; you are directly investing in the region's recovery:

Supporting local businesses: your stay at hotels and homestays provides the capital needed for businesses to repair infrastructure and resume operations.
Creating sustainable livelihoods: every tour you book and every meal you enjoy creates jobs and stable income for thousands of workers, helping them rebuild their lives with dignity.
Driving development: your spending revitalizes the local market, turning a disaster zone back into a bustling hub of culture and commerce.

Vietnam is beautiful not only for its landscapes but for its resilience. Your return is the signal that Central Vietnam is open for business and ready to develop stronger than ever. We are ready to welcome you back!

Way 3: Become an "Information Ambassador"

You don’t need to spend a dollar to be a hero.

Share the truth: social media can be chaotic. By sharing this article or official updates, you help the international community understand the true scale of the disaster.
Spread hope: a simple post about the beauty and resilience of Vietnam on your Facebook or Instagram serves as a reminder to international friends: Vietnam is a place worth loving, worth helping, and worth visiting.

Final Thoughts: Central Vietnam Will Rise Again

The floods are devastating, but they cannot wash away the Vietnamese spirit. From the mud, we will rise again-stronger and more united.

Thank you for standing with us during these stormy days. We look forward to welcoming you back to a sunny, radiant Central Vietnam very soon!

Sang Nguyen - General Manager

I've always been fascinated by the stories behind things. For me, every street corner in Saigon, the historic heart of Ho Chi Minh City, has a tale to tell. For the last 10 years, my passion has been sharing these stories. I want to help you see beyond the surface, to feel the history, and truly connect with the culture that makes this city so special.

Vietnam Travel