Quy Nhon Residents Live in Fear of Landslides as Relocation Remains Unresolved

In the central coastal city of Quy Nhon, Vietnam, 52 households comprising nearly 200 residents are living in constant anxiety due to the high risk of landslides in their neighborhood. Their unease intensifies with the approaching rainy season. The affected area is located around Nui Mot mountain, situated in the heart of the city, adjacent to the Ha Thanh River. This residential area has developed over the past two decades. Residents live in cramped homes, typically between 30-50 square meters, on the mountain and at its base, connected by narrow paths barely wide enough for motorcycles. Last year's heavy rains and typhoons triggered severe landslides, sending thousands of cubic meters of soil and rocks down the mountain. This deluge damaged and buried numerous homes in the lower-lying residential areas. While five completely destroyed homes received government assistance for relocation to a resettlement area in Quy Nhon Dong ward, the scars of the disaster remain evident nearly a year later. However, 52 households have yet to be assigned new residences and continue to reside in the high-risk zone. During a recent heavy rainfall, Lam Minh Suong, 36, a resident of group 20, had to evacuate with her family. Upon returning, she found a section of her house wall collapsed due to the landslide, with mud inundating the interior. Although her family has been allocated land in Quy Nhon Dong, about 4 km from their old home, they require additional funds to build a new house, expected to be completed in about 10 days. Doan Quang Tuan, 55, pointed to the area that once housed his bathroom and toilet, now destroyed by landslides. He has erected temporary corrugated iron sheets to prevent mud from entering his kitchen during heavy rains. Ba Nguyen Thi Le Thuy, 65, lives with five family members in a 40-square-meter house on Nui Mot. Having lived there for over 20 years, her family experiences constant fear of landslides during the rainy season. Last year, they sought refuge with relatives during a typhoon. She expressed reluctance to leave her long-time home but acknowledged the persistent fear. The family hopes for a new, stable living arrangement. Behind Mrs. Thuy's house and her neighbors' homes are earthen and rocky walls that could collapse at any moment, while in front lies a drop of over 100 meters. Ba Pham Thi Men's house was filled with mud during the landslides last year and in late September. Although she was relocated, her children and grandchildren living nearby frequently visit to clean and collect belongings. Nguyen Duc Toan, Chairman of Quy Nhon Ward People's Committee, confirmed that the 52 households in the Nui Mot area are at high risk of landslides. Local authorities are monitoring the situation and urging residents to proactively evacuate people and property upon detecting any unusual signs. In the immediate term, the ward government has a plan to evacuate residents to district offices or designated safe points during severe weather. For the long term, the locality has proposed a plan for the zoning, clearance, and resettlement of these 52 households from the landslide-prone zone.