Severe thunderstorms in Ho Chi Minh City have caused numerous trees to topple, some crushing vehicles and obstructing traffic, raising serious safety concerns. Meanwhile, a similar storm in Hanoi downed more than 940 trees.

Shortly after noon on July 20, heavy rains and strong gusts swept through many areas of Ho Chi Minh City. The violent storm uprooted multiple trees, disrupting traffic and damaging property.

On Tran Quang Dieu Street, Nhieu Loc Ward (formerly District 3), a tree with a 60 cm diameter and wide canopy fell directly onto a five-seater car. The vehicle's front end was severely damaged, but no injuries were reported. Local authorities and the Ho Chi Minh City Green Tree Park Company were quickly on-site to manage the scene and ensure road safety.

Roughly 3 km away, another tree with a 40 cm diameter was uprooted on Ong Ich Khiem Street, Hoa Binh Ward (formerly District 11). On Nguyen Van Linh Street, Tan My Ward (formerly District 7), a nearly 10-meter-tall tree fell across the road, disrupting traffic.

On Nguyen Van Huong Street, An Khanh Ward (formerly Thu Duc City), a 20-meter-high tree with a wide canopy fell, striking several vehicles. Numerous branches broke off and scattered across the area.

Several suburban districts such as Binh Chanh and Cu Chi (former administrative boundaries) also experienced widespread tree falls, significantly affecting traffic flow.

According to the Southern Regional Hydrometeorological Center, Ho Chi Minh City was strongly affected by the active southwest monsoon on July 20, leading to widespread heavy rain and strong winds, especially in the morning and early afternoon.

The combination of strong wind gusts and saturated soil from prolonged rainfall has weakened many trees, making them more likely to uproot or break.

Heavy rain is expected to continue into the evening in some areas, though wind intensity may ease. Authorities have urged residents to be cautious of localized flooding and to avoid traveling in poor weather conditions.

Hanoi: Over 940 trees downed following major storm

According to the Hanoi Department of Construction, as of 7:30 AM on July 20, a total of 941 trees were reported either uprooted or broken due to the violent thunderstorm and strong winds that struck on the afternoon of July 19 and continued into the night.

In the city center and main roads like Thang Long Boulevard, Vo Nguyen Giap, and Thong Nhat Park, 771 trees were affected. In suburban areas, the number reached 170.

Based on former administrative divisions, Long Bien District suffered the most damage with 120 trees lost, followed by Thang Long Boulevard (95 trees), Ha Dong (81), Hai Ba Trung (71), Hoang Mai (65), Dong Da (61), and Cau Giay (56). Other districts reported fewer incidents.

By the morning of July 20, most major roads in the city center had been cleared for traffic, with cleanup of remaining branches and debris on smaller streets expected to be completed by the end of the day or by tomorrow in more remote areas.

Authorities have advised residents to limit outdoor activity during thunderstorms and avoid sheltering under trees, near billboards, or near unstable structures.

Tuan Kiet - N. Huyen