FLOOD INFORMATION SHEET

U.S. Embassy
Hanoi, Vietnam
Revised July 2003

Of all natural disasters, flooding is the one most likely to afflict the Hanoi area. Minor flooding is fairly common within the city, but in general poses little more than a nuisance. While a major flood is much less likely, it is a possibility and a little preparation can make any flood much less dangerous. The most likely months for flooding in the Hanoi area are July and August, during the annual rainy season.

The obvious source of any major flood in Hanoi would be the Red River. A major flood might result from the river breaking through a dike, or from the collapse of a dam upstream of Hanoi. In the event of a major flood, given enough time, Vietnamese authorities plan to destroy a portion of the protective dike around the river well upstream from Hanoi. This would divert floodwater to less populous areas northwest of Hanoi. Obviously, while this plan would spare Hanoi, it would spell disaster for people living upstream. American citizens living near the Red River upstream of Hanoi should be aware of this potential risk.

If a major flood is not diverted before striking Hanoi, experts predict the flood would be devastating. The water level would be higher and the water volume and speed would be heavier than was the case in the last major flood in 1971 because the flood channel has narrowed over the years due to silt buildup in the river. Local experts estimate the water level could reach 10 meters in certain areas; actual depth in any given area would vary depending on the altitude of that area. The water would drain away relatively quickly, but structural damage would be severe. After the flood, transportation by road would be difficult for an extended period, and sewer and water systems would be damaged. Consequently, food and potable water would probably be in short supply for some time. The receding waters would also leave behind corpses, animal carcasses, and other sources of disease.

Fortunately, there are several simple ways to prepare for floods.

• Look at your home. If your home has more than three stories, make sure you can get to higher floors quickly and safely. If your home has three stories or fewer, locate a nearby building with more than three stories, and make sure you will be able to get to a higher floor. Make sure, if you are in a closed space, you have access to an escape route from rising water levels. Do not use elevators.

• Stock drinking water and canned food in your home. You won't be able to go shopping while the water recedes, and probably not for quite a while after that, either. If your home is too low to be safe in a major flood, store your food and water somewhere easily accessible, in a container you can take with you.

• Keep a fully-stocked first aid kit in your home. Keep it near your stored food and water.

• Keep passports, other important documents, and cash in a safe place you can easily get access to. The embassy will probably be unable to assist you quickly with replacing lost documents after a major flood, and most of the limited financial services in Hanoi will likely be closed for some time.

• Keep informed on the situation. The U.S. Embassy will make available any information we have on the situation in the Hanoi area, and Americans should feel free to contact them with any questions. We believe that mobile phones should continue to function during a flood, though access to electricity to recharge these phones may present a problem over time. Prior to a flood, the U.S. Embassy can be reached at:

844-772-1500 (phone)
844-772-1510 (fax)

or (for working hours only):

844-831-4590 (phone)
844-831-4578 (fax)

During and following a major flood, most phones (other than mobile phones) will not work. Those with mobile phones should contact the U.S. Embassy duty officer at 090-3401991

The Embassy's regional security officer may also be contacted, in the event of an emergency, at 090-3437170

If neither of the above mobile phone numbers can be reached, callers should contact the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City for assistance. The numbers for the Consulate General are as follows:

848-822-9433 (phone)
848-822-9434 (fax)
090-3924613 (duty officer)

Prior to the onset of a flood, VTV One is a good source for weather information, as is HTV (Hanoi TV). Unfortunately, neither broadcasts in English. If you have access to the Internet, the Vietnamese government maintains a flood information website (in English) at: http://www.undp.org.vn/dmu/latest/en/frame.htm

• Finally, U.S. citizens should register with the U.S. Embassy, if they haven't done so already. Registering lets us know where you are so we can check on you during and after any disaster. It also lets us know how to contact you if we receive information on floods or other emergency situations.