Archive · 1 Oct 2026
Ho Chi Minh City Adapts as Climate Flood Risks Grow
Ho Chi Minh City often floods when heavy rain arrives during high tides.
On Sept.
30, water from the Saigon River and smaller waterways spilled onto roads.
People still ate at roadside shops and bought food from vendors during the flooding.
Some residents have raised their home floors to keep water out.
Climate change is raising sea levels and causing heavier rain.
Parts of the city are also sinking because groundwater is being pumped out.
This makes flooding deeper, more frequent and slower to disappear.
The city’s old drainage system has struggled to keep up with its rapid growth.
Officials have started a large plan to improve drainage, canals and flood defenses.
Heavy rain and high tides flooded roads in Ho Chi Minh City on Sept. 30.
Nearly half the city lies less than one meter above sea level.
Climate change, rapid urbanization and land subsidence are increasing flood risks.
Groundwater extraction has caused parts of the city to sink, slowing drainage.
Authorities launched a $13 billion plan to address 159 flood hot spots by 2030.
- Who
- Residents, businesses and authorities in Ho Chi Minh City; climate expert Benjamin Horton also assessed the risks.
- What
- Heavy rain and high tides caused flooding, highlighting the city’s growing vulnerability to climate-related flooding.
- When
- Flooding occurred on the evening of Sept. 30; authorities launched a flood-control plan in July for completion by 2030.
- Where
- Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, including low-lying neighborhoods and roads near the Saigon River and smaller waterways.
- Why
- Rising sea levels, heavier rainfall, rapid urbanization, land subsidence and aging drainage infrastructure are combining to worsen flooding.
City Authorities’ Response
Experts’ and Residents’ Concerns
Flood-control plans
City Authorities’ Response
Authorities are investing $13 billion to address 159 flood hot spots and have adopted a climate action plan through 2030.
Experts’ and Residents’ Concerns
The existing drainage system has struggled to keep pace with rapid urban growth, and experts say climate and land changes are making flooding worse.
Living with floods
City Authorities’ Response
Residents and businesses continue operating during floods, while some homeowners have raised their floors to reduce water entering their homes.
Experts’ and Residents’ Concerns
Flooding remains disruptive, reaching knee height in some areas, delaying travel and threatening homes, businesses, infrastructure, water supplies and public health.
Main causes
City Authorities’ Response
Planned upgrades aim to improve the city’s ability to cope with heavy rain, high tides and rising sea levels.
Experts’ and Residents’ Concerns
Benjamin Horton said the problem also involves rapid urbanization and land subsidence caused partly by groundwater extraction, which makes water accumulate and drain more slowly.
- Flood trigger
- Heavy rain combined with high tides on Sept. 30.
- Elevation
- Nearly half of Ho Chi Minh City is less than 1 meter above sea level.
- Drainage challenge
- The city’s drainage and canal system was originally built when the population was about 2 million.
- Flood-control investment
- Authorities launched a $13 billion plan in July.
- Target areas
- The plan aims to address 159 flood hot spots by 2030.
- Climate action plan
- The city plans to upgrade drainage systems and major canals, expand green spaces and improve resilience through 2030.