Earthquake Risks in Vietnam: A Wake-Up Call for Preparedness

A powerful 7.7-magnitude earthquake struck Myanmar last Friday, sending tremors across Southeast Asia and exposing unexpected vulnerabilities in Vietnam, a country not typically associated with seismic hazards. Over 1,700 kilometers from the epicenter, high-rise buildings in Ho Chi Minh City (HCM City) suffered cracks and structural damage, while tremors rattled Hanoi and Can Tho, prompting panic among residents. Though Vietnam is considered low-risk for earthquakes, this event has reignited calls from experts for targeted research, stricter construction standards, and public education to mitigate future threats.

Unexpected Damage in Urban Centers

The Myanmar earthquake, registering 7.7 on the Richter scale, caused significant disruption in Vietnam despite the vast distance. In HCM City, residents of the Saigon South Residences in Nha Be District reported a loud noise followed by a long crack in the walls of block D. Two days later, nearly 350 apartments at Diamond Riverside in District 8’s Ward 16 showed signs of damage, with cracks, peeling tiles, and warped floors affecting multiple blocks. One resident, Dao Kim Luan, described vertical cracks averaging one to two meters in length on the 15th floor of his building.

Similar scenes unfolded in Hanoi, where strong tremors shook districts like Thanh Xuan, Hai Ba Trung, and Dong Da, driving some residents to seek shelter. In Can Tho City, high-rise buildings and offices in the city center vibrated, forcing people to evacuate to ground level for safety. While no casualties were reported, the widespread impact has raised questions about the seismic resilience of Vietnam’s urban infrastructure, particularly in densely populated areas with numerous high-rises.

A Low but Persistent Risk

Vietnam is not situated on the boundaries of major continental plates, where devastating earthquakes often occur, nor is it part of the Pacific Ring of Fire that triggers seismic activity in countries like Japan, the Philippines, and Indonesia. According to Nguyen Xuan Anh, Director of the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Centre at the Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology, earthquakes in Vietnam are generally small in scale and less frequent compared to neighboring regions. “Vietnam is located deep within the intraplate area of continental boundaries, so our earthquake risk is smaller and less intense than in other countries” he said.

Historically, seismic activity in Vietnam has been concentrated in the northwest and Central Highlands regions, areas with complex terrain where plains meet mountains. Anh noted that these regions often serve as epicenters for minor quakes. However, the recent Myanmar earthquake demonstrated that even distant events can affect Vietnam’s urban centers, particularly structures built on softer soils or without seismic considerations. A quake of 7.7 magnitude, he warned, has the potential to endanger the safety of up to 250,000 people and cause severe damage to buildings, even those designed to modern standards.

Construction Standards Under Scrutiny

The structural damage in HCM City and other areas has spotlighted a critical gap in Vietnam’s construction practices: the absence of mandatory earthquake-resistant standards. Associate Professor Le Anh Tuan, former Deputy Director of the Institute for Climate Change Research at Can Tho University, emphasized that while Vietnam’s seismic risk is low, the country must heed this event as a warning. “Although Vietnam has a low risk of earthquakes, I recall that Can Tho University collaborated with Japan on projects that incorporated earthquake-proof standards. Currently, Vietnam lacks such requirements in construction, especially for large-scale projects on weak ground” he said.

Architect Ngo Viet Nam Son echoed this concern, noting that Vietnam’s history of minimal seismic activity has led to a lack of focus on earthquake resistance in building design. “In the current context of changing climate and geology, I think there needs to be preparation to deal with these risks” he said. Drawing a comparison to San Francisco, which rebuilt with strict seismic standards after devastating earthquakes, Son suggested that Vietnam should conduct comprehensive research to assess risks and tailor standards to specific regions and construction types. However, he cautioned against adopting foreign models without adaptation, as many earthquake-resistant solutions are costly and may not suit Vietnam’s unique needs.

Regional Disparities and Specific Solutions

Experts agree that Vietnam’s seismic risks vary by region, necessitating localized approaches. The northwest and Central Highlands, for instance, are more prone to quakes due to their geological features. In the Central Highlands, recent tremors have been linked to stimulated earthquakes caused by hydroelectric reservoirs, though these are expected to diminish as the earth’s crust stabilizes over time. Urban centers like HCM City, Hanoi, and Can Tho, while farther from typical epicenters, face risks due to high population density and the prevalence of tall buildings, many of which were not designed with earthquakes in mind.

Nguyen Xuan Anh advocated for region-specific solutions, urging that large structures undergo environmental assessments to evaluate seismic and tsunami risks. “For example, in Myanmar, where there is a high risk, it is necessary to build solid structures to withstand strong earthquakes. Although Vietnam does not have a very high risk, when constructing structures, especially large ones, it is necessary to assess the environment because this is an important and long-term economic problem” he said. He also highlighted the vulnerability of HCM City’s infrastructure, calling for a program to evaluate earthquake-related risks for sustainable urban development.

Public Awareness and Preparedness

Beyond infrastructure, the recent tremors have underscored the need for public education on earthquake response. Many residents in affected areas reacted with panic, unsure of how to protect themselves during the shaking. Anh recommended that future high-rise buildings and apartment complexes install monitoring equipment to assess seismic resistance and that citizens equip themselves with knowledge on evacuation and safety protocols. “People should know how to respond appropriately when an incident occurs” he said.

This sentiment aligns with broader calls for a cultural shift in how Vietnam approaches natural disasters. While earthquakes may be rare, the potential for damage—especially in urban centers with growing populations—cannot be ignored. Equipping communities with the tools and information to act decisively could mean the difference between minor disruption and significant loss.

Looking Ahead: A Call for Research and Policy

The Myanmar earthquake has served as a stark reminder that even low-risk regions like Vietnam are not immune to the ripple effects of seismic events. Experts like Ngo Viet Nam Son propose a national-scale assessment to map earthquake risks over the next century, identifying vulnerable areas and establishing appropriate construction standards. “There must be an evaluation of the risk of earthquakes in each province and city, determining which areas are at risk in the next 100 years. On that basis, appropriate standards should be added for each specific area and type of construction” he said.

For now, the immediate focus remains on addressing the vulnerabilities exposed in HCM City and other urban hubs. As Vietnam continues to modernize and expand its cities, integrating seismic considerations into planning and development will be crucial. The question looms: will this event catalyze lasting change, or will the urgency fade until the next tremor strikes?