Northern Vietnam Hit by Landslides Amid Heavy Rains, Tam Đảo Tourism Advisory Issued

Northern Vietnam is grappling with widespread landslides and disruptions due to prolonged heavy rainfall, leading to advisories against travel to popular tourist destinations like Tam Đảo. Multiple locations along the mountain passes and main roads in Tam Đảo, Tam Đảo Commune, Phú Thọ Province, experienced significant soil and rock slides on September 17, directly attributed to extensive and persistent downpours. These slides have blocked traffic, according to the Tam Đảo Commune Police's information portal. Earlier, on September 15, a landslide involving approximately 50 cubic meters of soil and rock occurred on Kim Đồng Street in Tam Đảo village, causing an estimated damage of 80 million VND. This affected a heavily trafficked route. Local authorities are urging individuals and tour groups to temporarily limit or postpone their travel plans to the area, given the forecast for continued heavy rain. They are also advised to comply with instructions from functional forces when navigating potentially unsafe zones. This week, most tourist sites in the northern region have been impacted by the severe weather. A representative from Việt Tourism Company noted that while tours from Hanoi, Hạ Long, and Ninh Bình were affected, no destinations had to be changed. In the old Hà Giang region (now part of Tuyên Quang Province), heavy rain since September 17 caused minor landslides on some road sections leading to Tả Lủng and Tả Phìn (old). In Lào Cai, a landslide on the retaining wall at Km16+300 and Km18+300 on the connecting road between National Highway 32 and Provincial Road 174 (passing through Phình Hồ Commune) on the morning of September 17 completely washed away the roadbed and surface. Since 3:30 PM that day, authorities have prohibited all pedestrian and vehicle traffic in the affected area. This halt in traffic on a vital artery has disrupted travel plans for tourists heading to Phình Hồ and Trạm Tấu. Several tourist areas and attractions in Ninh Bình have also temporarily suspended operations. These include the Tràng An Ecological Tourist Area, Vân Long Ecological Tourist Area, Sun World Hà Nam, and the Hàng Chùa - Hàng Ghé - Hàng Bụt route in Nam Hoa Lư Ward. Meanwhile, Cúc Phương National Park has stopped overnight stays, the Hoa Lư Ancient Town has ceased its Kỳ Lân Lake tours, and the Thung Nham Ecological Tourist Area has halted visits to Hàng Bụt Cave, Động Tiên Cá, and Hang Vái Giời. Source: VnExpress