Vietnam floods driven by climate change, poor planning: Experts

Dozens of people dead, thousands evacuated and millions of dollars in damage. Vietnam is once again battling widespread flooding driven by climate change and poor infrastructure decisions, experts say.

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The Southeast Asian nation's location and topography make it naturally vulnerable to frequent typhoons and some flooding, but the situation is being made worse by the heavier rainfall that climate change brings and rampant urbanisation.

Vietnam is in one of the most active tropical cyclone regions on earth and is prone to heavy rain between June and September.

Ten typhoons or tropical storms usually affect the country, directly or offshore, in a given year, but it has experienced 12 already in 2025.

"Climate change is already shaping Vietnam's exposure in several important ways," said Dr Phuong Loan Nguyen, a climate scientist at the University of New South Wales.

Studies suggest climate change will produce fewer but "possibly more intense tropical cyclones (typhoons)" along with heavier bursts of rain because a warmer atmosphere holds more moisture.

"That means a higher chance of flash floods, especially in densely populated urban areas," said Dr Nguyen.

Rising sea levels are also putting pressure on coastal communities.