Authorities in Ho Chi Minh City said flooding is driven by heavy rainfall and tidal surges, with the worst affected areas concentrated in the former HCM City area.
Le Ngoc Linh, deputy director of the municipal Construction Department, said the severe flooding has caused traffic congestion and disrupted daily life and environmental sanitation.
Most affected sites are in the former HCM City area (30), followed by Ba Ria, Vung Tau (14) and Binh Duong (8).
Linh cited climate change, extreme weather and land subsidence, averaging 2 cm a year and reaching 5 to 7 cm in some areas, as key factors. Since 2001, parts of the city have sunk by 50 to 70 cm, leaving elevations at just 0.8 to 1 metre above sea level.
A VND 10 trillion (approximately USD 390 million) flood control project is due to be largely completed this year, but will not fully seal the city’s tidal defences, leaving it vulnerable to heavy rains and high tides.
Authorities also acknowledged planning gaps, saying flood mitigation efforts have been fragmented and reactive, often shifting flooding from one area to another.
To address the issue, the city plans a mix of infrastructure and non infrastructure measures, including drainage upgrades, relocation of homes along canals, improved waterway maintenance and stronger public awareness on waste disposal.
The construction department has also proposed a roadmap of flood control projects through 2030 to eliminate all 159 hotspots and reduce future flooding risks.
