Several people have died in landslides across Indonesia and Vietnam as heavy rain continues to fall across the region.
2025 has seen a particularly devastating rainy season for much of Asia, with recent typhoons causing damage in the Philippines and Hong Kong. This week, torrential rain has hit central Vietnam and Indonesia, causing landslides, floods and massive damage to infrastructure.
Climate scientists warn that as the planet continues to warm up, this sort of extreme wet weather could become increasingly normal. That’s basically because a hotter atmosphere speeds up the water cycle, and more evaporation means more rain. Places that already suffer from stormy seasons, like Southeast Asia, will be the worst affected.
Here’s everything you need to know about the current flooding in Vietnam and Indonesia.
What's the latest in Southeast Asia?
Severe rainfall across Indonesia and central Vietnam began this weekend, and is currently causing a risk to life. Al Jazeera reports that at least 18 have been killed in floods in Indonesia, and a further six have been found dead in a landslide in Vietnam. A similar disaster in Indonesia left a dozen homes ‘buried’ in mud in the Cibeunying village.
According to Vietnamese news outlet VNExpress, more than a metre of water has reached residential areas, leaving homes partially submerged and causing power outages.
Rain is expected to continue throughout the rest of the week, but could ease in the next couple of days.
What caused the landslides?
Landslides happen when something disturbs masses of rocks, mud, and debris, causing it to fall down a slope and pile up at the bottom. In this case, heavy rainfall has destabilised existing hills and mountains, causing them to topple and fall to the ground.
This sort of disaster can be particularly dangerous as rescue teams must dig through enormous amounts of rubble to find the injured.
Six people were killed, and a further 19 injured, when a landslide buried a bus travelling between Da Lat to Nha Trang in Vietnam this week.
In the Cibeunying village, rescue teams are still searching for people trapped under 3-8 metres of mud.
Are flights still running?
As of November 18, flights seem to be running without disruption in Vietnam and Indonesia. However, you should expect delays and arrive at the airport early for any departing flights.
Is it safe to travel?
Although there have been no official warnings not to travel into southeast Asia, floods and landslides are still causing harm in central Vietnam and the Central Java province of Indonesia. Hoi An, a popular hotspot with backpackers and tourists, was submerged in floodwater this weekend. It is advisable that you stay away if at all possible until the weather has cleared and authorities have evacuated everyone in immediate danger.
Northern Vietnam, including Hanoi, remains largely unaffected, so it is safe to visit.
Always check local weather alerts before you travel.
Can I get a refund if I cancel my trip?
If your holiday provider or airline has cancelled your trip due to adverse weather conditions, you will be entitled to a refund and potentially some compensation.
However, as officials have not yet issued warnings not to travel to Vietnam or Indonesia, it is unlikely that your provider will prevent your trip from going ahead.
If you do not feel safe and still decide not to travel, you may not be eligible for a refund or any excess compensation. This will depend on the provider or airline you booked with, and the travel insurance that you have, so make sure to check with them before you cancel.
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