Hanoi faces floods as lakes filled in

More lakes in Hanoi have been filled for housing, while the construction of proper water drainage systems has not received sufficient attention, which has caused more serious floods for the city after downpours.

  • Thai Nguyen Police help examinees amid flooding
  • Three-day rain in northern region, flooding feared
  • Floods worldwide could double due to climate change
  • Flood risks at 18 spots in Hanoi

Recent heavy rains put many areas in Hanoi, particularly those in the west and south-west of Hanoi under water. Lots of urban areas in Hoai Duc District and along Thang Long Avenue were flooded following a downpour on July 13. 

The water even flooded into houses of some residential areas such as Geleximco in Hoai Duc District.

According to Architect Pham Thanh Tung, head of the Vietnam Association of Architects, said that the problem may occur more in the west and south-west of Hanoi, particularly Hoai Duc and Ha Dong districts.

Tung explained that most of the newly-built urban areas in these two districts were located in areas which were previously lakes, ponds and paddy fields. Lakes and ponds are seen as effective water drainage channels for Hanoi, but many of them have been filled in for construction projects.

Project investors often care for how to sell as many apartments as possible but do not pay attention to water drainage systems in urban areas. This violates the principle that at least 20% of each urban area project is needed for building lakes, roads and green space.  

He noted that Hanoi has coped with more floods since it was expanded in 2008 by merging with Ha Tay Province, Vinh Phuc Province's Me Linh District and four communes from Hoa Binh Province. This has been blamed for urban planning problems.

Experts said that Hanoi is 3.5 to 9 metres above sea level, which is higher than Haiphong and other cities, so the flooding is not due to the terrain, but instead an outdated urban drainage system consisting of small pipes with limited capacity that can easily get blocked by sediment buildup.  

Some photos of the streets being flooded after a downpour on July 13:

Thang Long Avenue put under water following the heavy rain on July 13 morning
Thang Long Avenue put under water following the heavy rain on July 13 morning
Urban areas along Le Trong Tan Street in Hoai Duc District
Urban areas along Le Trong Tan Street in Hoai Duc District
Many vehicles stalled their engines
Many vehicles stalled their engines
Dtinews

Other News

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Communication drive promoted for 500-day campaign to locate, identify fallen soldiers' remains

Under the plan, all central and local media outlets are required to launch columns on the campaign, maintain regular coverage, and produce at least five to seven in-depth reports each month in key search areas. Media agencies will also be encouraged to gather and verify valuable information and develop high-quality products in both Vietnamese and foreign languages, including feature articles, documentaries, reports and short videos.

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

First Vietnamese pagoda in Tokyo inaugurated

Ambassador Pham Quang Hieu expressed confidence that the establishment will serve as a strong spiritual anchor for Vietnamese people living in Japan while contributing to friendship and cultural exchanges between the two countries.

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

National drive kicks off to protect, support children online

Cyberspace now runs through children’s learning, entertainment, and daily lives, but warned it is laced with dangerous content, online insults, threats, and seemingly harmless clicks that can trigger fraud, data breaches, and risks children who are not yet equipped to handle.

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

Vietnam, RoK scholars discuss diplomatic perspectives amid modern East Asia

A scholar has stressed the need for Vietnam to make use of cooperation opportunities arising from the RoK’s foreign policy, particularly in semiconductor technology, artificial intelligence (AI), supply chains, digital transformation, and green energy, as well as chances in multilateral diplomacy.

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

'Barefoot inventor' and global ambitions

Pham Van Hat is best known as the creator of the made-in-Vietnam “Seed Sowing Robot,” now exported to 15 countries, alongside dozens of practical inventions that have eased labour for thousands of farmers.

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Safeguarding fairness for creators, future of Vietnam's culture

Films, music, television programmes, e-books, video games, journalistic works, images and creative data can now be copied, edited and redistributed within minutes. While copyright violations were once linked mainly to pirated discs or counterfeit books, infringements have shifted online with faster speed, wider scale and greater anonymity.

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Flower tribute ceremony honours President Ho Chi Minh in Russia

Consul General Nguyen Viet Kien stressed President Ho Chi Minh’s reputation and career transcended Vietnam’s borders to inspire liberation movements worldwide, and that his ideas on the right to self-determination, peace, and friendship among nations remain deeply relevant today.

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

Education ministry targets five digital technology incubators at universities

A key target under the new plan is the establishment of five digital technology incubators, or Deeptech Hubs, at universities and research institutes with strong potential. The education ministry also plans to launch a training programme for 1,000 outstanding technology entrepreneurs and develop criteria for selecting and supporting startup ecosystems within educational institutions.

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

Vietnam steps up implementation of ethnic affairs strategy through 2030

To accelerate the implementation of the the Ethnic Affairs Strategy by 2030, with a vision toward 2045, the Prime Minister requested ministries, agencies and local authorities to continue thoroughly carrying out the Party and State’s policies on ethnic affairs, enhancing the effectiveness of State management and strengthening oversight of policy implementation.

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

Security preparations reviewed for APEC 2027 in Phu Quoc

The team examined the APEC 2027 Convention Centre, where main conference activities are scheduled; Sun Serenia Hospital, designated to provide healthcare and emergency medical services for delegates; provincial road DT.975, which connects Phu Quoc International Airport to the convention centre; and the area surrounding Phu Quoc International Airport.