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Vietnam is facing a serious rethink of its flood management strategies after a brutal year of storms that have left massive destruction in their wake. From landslides to submerged streets, the country has seen the devastating effects of relentless rainfall and typhoons. The government is now investing billions in new approaches, including detailed mapping of high-risk areas and the introduction of “sponge cities” designed to naturally absorb and release water. This shift is part of a national master plan extending to 2030, with more than $6 billion pledged to enhance early-warning systems and relocate vulnerable communities away from flood-prone zones.
Smaller cities, like Vinh in central Vietnam, are already putting these ideas into practice. Drainage systems are being upgraded, flood basins created, and riverbanks transformed into green spaces that soak up excess water during heavy rains. The urgency became clear after a string of storms this year, such as Ragasa, Bualoi, and Matmo, which caused widespread damage. Unprecedented rainfall turned streets into rivers and triggered landslides, with barely enough time between storms for the land to recover. Scientists warn that as Typhoon Kalmaegi approaches, it could be just one of many future storms fueled by warmer seas and climate change.
Experts say the surge of storms in 2025 isn’t just bad luck but a sign of a broader shift in weather patterns due to global warming. Vietnam typically sees about a dozen storms annually, but this year’s cluster signals a new normal. Ocean temperatures have risen nearly 1 degree Celsius since pre-industrial times, causing storms to carry more moisture and intensify rapidly. The economic damage from these extreme events has been heavy, disrupting agriculture, fisheries, and manufacturing sectors that are critical to Vietnam’s development goals. State media reported losses of $1.4 billion in 2025 alone, and the country projects it will need to spend between $55 billion and $92 billion this decade to cope with climate impacts.
Vietnam’s major urban centers, Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, are especially vulnerable due to their location on river deltas and rapid urban growth. Natural wetlands that once acted as flood buffers have been replaced with concrete, reducing the land’s ability to absorb rainwater. Hanoi, home to over 8 million people, experienced flooding that lingered for days, exposing weaknesses in its aging colonial drainage infrastructure. Many residents, like vegetable seller Dang Thuan, face knee-deep floods in their neighborhoods where ponds were filled in to make way for new construction. The loss of water bodies is staggering—between 2015 and 2020 alone, Hanoi lost areas equal to 285 soccer fields of water surface, increasing flood risk.
Experts argue that traditional engineering solutions won’t be enough to tackle flooding. Instead, they point to examples like Singapore, which has shifted towards greener riverbanks that slow stormwater rather than funnel it away quickly. This nature-based approach is gaining traction globally, with cities in India and South Africa also restoring lakes and rivers to mitigate flood risk. Vietnam’s recent floods have triggered a broader discussion on adopting similar strategies. Officials and developers in places like Ho Chi Minh City are encouraged to embrace “sponge city” concepts, while some large property developers are beginning to adapt, such as the Sun Group in Nha Trang, which is creating wetlands to store rainwater and reduce heat.
Ultimately, city planning in Vietnam must evolve to factor in intensified climate risks. Experts warn that relying on past experiences will leave cities unprepared for the future. Instead, urban design must align with emerging climate realities, balancing development with natural water management to build resilience against the growing threat of floods and storms.
