Residents and visitors in southern Vietnam, particularly those near the Saigon River and in Ho Chi Minh City, are facing a heightened risk of flooding. This situation is due to the combined effects of unusually high tides and increased rainfall caused by Typhoon Kalmaegi, as reported by Vietnamese authorities.
The U.S. Consulate General has advised American citizens to exercise caution when moving around the city. "Follow directions of local authorities regarding detours and safe travel," officials stated. The warning is especially important for people in low-lying or flood-prone areas that may be affected by tidal waters.
According to the Vietnamese National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (NCHMF), Typhoon Kalmaegi is expected to reach its peak intensity on Thursday, November 6, before moving inland over provinces such as Quang Ngai and Dak Lak. The storm is forecasted to bring at least 10 centimeters (4 inches) of rain to the Ho Chi Minh City area.
Officials from the U.S. Consulate General in Ho Chi Minh City have been coordinating with local authorities, who confirm they are providing assistance to residents and visitors impacted by flooding.
Those needing immediate help can contact various emergency hotlines set up across affected regions including Ho Chi Minh City, Dak Lak, Khanh Hoa, Lam Dong, Quang Ngai, Hoi An, Da Nang City, and Hue City. National hotlines are also available for disaster response and tourist emergencies.
Authorities recommend that people avoid walking or driving through flooded areas and continue monitoring local media for updates on weather conditions. Storm tracking information can be found through the U.S. Joint Typhoon Warning Center (https://www.metoc.navy.mil/jtwc/jtwc.html) as well as the Vietnam National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting (https://www.nchmf.gov.vn/kttv/). Additional safety guidance will be provided on the U.S. Embassy's website (https://vn.usembassy.gov/) and official social media channels.
The State Department encourages travelers in Vietnam to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) at https://step.state.gov/step/ for timely security alerts related to weather or disasters.
For further information about travel advisories specific to Vietnam visit https://travel.state.gov/content/travel/en/international-travel/International-Travel-Country-Information-Pages/Vietnam.html.
U.S. citizens requiring consular assistance may contact the U.S. Embassy Hanoi at +84-24-3850-5000 or the U.S. Consulate General Ho Chi Minh City at +84-28-3520-4200.