Record rain floods Vietnam: What travelers need to know

Within 24 hours, almost 1,100 liters of rain per square meter fell in some places in Vietnam, flooding entire neighborhoods.

The situation is particularly severe in the city of Hue in central Vietnam. The historic site was completely flooded. After the Ta Trach River overflowed its banks, a bridge was also washed away, leaving several houses inaccessible.

"I haven't experienced such heavy rain in many years," a Hue resident told the German Press Agency (dpa). "The entire city is flooded, the power is out, children can't go to school because the schools are flooded. My house is now under more than a meter of water."

In fact, most people have to navigate the completely flooded streets by boat. Several areas have been cordoned off by local authorities. The military has also been mobilized to evacuate people from the danger zone. The temple complexes in the former imperial city, popular with tourists, are all under water. The rains are expected to continue.

In the coastal city of Da Nang, people are also battling rising waters. Disaster warnings have been issued for both cities. Many towns as far south as Quang Ngai have been affected by the heavy rains and flooding. In Quang Ngai, the waters have already caused several landslides, cutting off houses from the outside world and making roads impassable.

Hoi An, a popular tourist destination, is also under water. The town's old town is a UNESCO World Heritage Site , and the picturesque atmosphere, combined with the thousands of illuminated lanterns, attracts countless visitors to the town.

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These are the next heavy rains in Vietnam within a short period of time. Just last September, a storm in the north of the country killed many people. That time, too, caused landslides and floods that destroyed more than 100,000 homes.

Severe flooding had already occurred in central Vietnam in June 2025, killing at least six people. Hue was also under meters of water four months ago.

In general, travelers currently traveling on a package tour to regions affected by extreme weather can contact the tour operator. They will provide information on the current situation and provide further assistance – for example, if changes to their travel plans may be necessary.

In exceptional circumstances, such as severe flooding, the ADAC states that tour operators must support vacationers and, if necessary, arrange for an early return trip. Or pay for additional overnight stays (up to three days) if departure is not possible due to weather conditions.

Those who have booked individually, for example, flights and accommodation with different providers, may have a harder time. According to the Hamburg Consumer Advice Center, the following applies:

• For non-cancellable airline tickets, you can only get a refund of taxes and fees if you don't plan to use them. The full price is only refunded if the airline cancels the flight. It's good to know: In such cases, you may be entitled to assistance.
• If you can't get to your accommodation because, for example, your flight is canceled due to extreme weather, you generally still have to pay the price – unless the provider is accommodating. The situation is different if the accommodation is unavailable due to the local situation – in which case you are generally entitled to a refund, although the legal regulations may vary depending on the country.

Travel cancellation and trip interruption insurance policies often exclude natural disasters as a benefit. Some policies do, however, include them in their coverage. Therefore, it's a good idea to check the insurance terms and conditions for this, according to consumer advocates.

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travel reporter