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Final Blog: Final Hazards Report

Vietnam’s Main Hazards and Strategic Recommendations Due to its geographical and climatic weaknesses, Vietnam is one of the countries most at danger from natural disasters; typhoons and floods pose existential threats to its infrastructure, population, and economic stability. This paper, which was prepared for the Government of Vietnam, summarizes the main risks facing the country, ranks mitigation techniques, identifies high-risk areas that require intervention, and suggests resilient residential design. Vietnam may lessen these risks and protect its development path by combining ecosystem-based solutions, legislative reform, and technological innovation. Prioritized Natural Hazards Vietnam is particularly vulnerable to floods, which cause 97% of all yearly economic losses due to disasters, because of its vast river systems and monsoon-driven rainfall (World Bank). The Mekong and Red River deltas, as well as increased rainfall unpredictability brought on by climate change, make floods...
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Week 13: Coastal Hazards

Coastal Hazards in Vietnam: Issues and Strategies for Resilience Vietnam's huge 3,260-kilometer coastline—home to over 20 million people and important economic sectors—is under increasing threat from both natural processes and human activity (410). This dynamic land-sea interface faces some of Asia's most severe coastal hazards, which are worsened by climate change, fast development, and environmental degradation. From the sediment-starved Mekong Delta to the typhoon-battered central regions, Vietnam's coastal zones demonstrate the complex interplay of geology, hydrology, and human habitation patterns. Vietnam's Coastal Geography and Hazards Profile Vietnam's coastal morphology varies significantly between regions, resulting in distinct hazard vulnerabilities: The subsiding Mekong Delta: This lush agricultural region in the south confronts multiple challenges, including land subsidence (up to 5.7 cm/year in some areas), saltwater intrusion, and rising sea levels, wh...
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Week 10: Extreme Weather

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Vietnam’s Battle with Extreme Weather: Rising Threats and Resilient Solutions With more frequent and severe extreme weather occurrences, Vietnam is among the most climate-vulnerable nations in Southeast Asia. The country's lengthy coastline, thick river deltas, and rugged topography make it a hotspot for natural disasters, from destructive typhoons to heatwaves that break records. Important Risks of Extreme Weather A. Typhoons and Flooding Frequency: According to the World Bank (2023), Vietnam experiences 8–10 tropical storms annually, with the strength of these storms increasing as the seas warm. Effect: Typhoon Molave in 2020 destroyed 90,000 dwellings and killed over 130 people (UNDP, 2021). Floods in Central Vietnam in 2023: 1.5 million people were displaced (IFRC, 2023). B. Droughts and Heatwaves Record Temperatures: The hottest temperature ever recorded in Northern Vietnam was 44°C (111°F) in 2023 (Vietnam Meteorological Agency, 2023). Mekong Delta Droughts: Every year, more ...
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Week 8: Country’s Main Mass Movements

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Vietnam’s Mass Wasting Hazards and Mitigation Efforts Vietnam is particularly vulnerable to mass wasting hazards, including landslides, rockfalls, and debris flows, because of its varied geography, which includes coastal lowlands in the south and mountainous areas in the north. The country's monsoon climate, steep topography, and human activities like construction and deforestation are the main causes of these dangers. The risk of slope failures is increased during the rainy season (May to October), when excessive rainfall saturates the soil and causes mass wasting episodes. Key Factors Contributing to Mass Wasting in Vietnam Heavy Rainfall: The main cause of landslides and debris flows, particularly in hilly regions, is heavy and protracted rainfall during the monsoon season. Steep Terrain: The steep slopes of northern Vietnam, which include areas like Ha Giang, Lao Cai, and Son La, are prone to instability. Deforestation: Extensive deforestation for urbanization and agriculture r...
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Week 5: Volcanic Activity

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Volcanic Activity Since there are no active volcanoes inside its boundaries, Vietnam is not known for having a lot of volcanic activity. Rather than volcanism, tectonic activity, karst formations, and river systems are the main forces that have sculpted the nation's geological landscape. Nonetheless, there is a lot of volcanic activity in Southeast Asia, especially in the Pacific Ring of Fire countries of Indonesia and the Philippines. These nearby nations are home to the nearest active volcanoes to Vietnam. Closest Volcanoes to Vietnam Mount Pinatubo in the Philippines, which is around 1,200 kilometers east of Vietnam's coast, is the country's closest active volcano. About 1,800 kilometers southeast of Vietnam is Indonesia's Krakatoa (Krakatau), another notable volcano. Even though these volcanoes are outside of Vietnam, the region may be impacted by their eruptions due to the possibility of ash spreading, altered weather patterns, or even tsunamis in the South China S...
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Week 3: Earthquakes

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Introduction to Earthquakes in Vietnam Vietnam is situated close to the Andaman-Sumatra-Myanmar plate border on the Eurasian Plate. Seismic activity occurs throughout the nation, mostly in the northern areas. With reported earthquake magnitudes as high as 6.8, the Lai Chau-Dien Bien-Song Ma-Son La fault is the most active fault. Intensity vs. Magnitude Magnitude: Uses the moment magnitude scale to measure the energy generated by an earthquake. The Modified Mercalli Intensity scale is frequently used to quantify intensity, which describes how an earthquake affects the surface of the Earth, people, and structures. Vietnam's Mitigation Strategies Vietnam has put in place a number of measures to reduce the risk of earthquakes: Building Codes: Based on Eurocode guidelines, Vietnam enacted its own earthquake design code in 2006. Buildings can survive earthquake activity thanks to this code. Early Warning Systems: In order to give citizens timely notifications prior to an earthquake, Viet...
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Vietnam

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 I decided to conduct research in Vietnam. Southeast Asia contains the nation of Vietnam. It has a lengthy coastline along the South China Sea to the east, shares borders with China to the north, and is bordered to the west by Laos and Cambodia. Ho Chi Minh metropolis, originally Saigon, is the biggest metropolis in Vietnam. With its lush highlands, fertile plains, and stunning coasts, Vietnam has a varied and scenic terrain. Typhoons, floods, and landslides are among the many natural disasters that the nation encounters. Vietnam is home to almost 99 million people, and its distinct topography makes it more susceptible to these natural disasters. Anything that can be harmful, such as a storm, earthquake, or wildfire, is considered a hazard. When a hazard truly results in significant harm, such as when houses are destroyed or people are injured, a disaster occurs. A catastrophe is a major event, such as a massive earthquake that completely destroys a city, that is so large and sever...
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