Recently updated news show that water on Phan Huy Ich Street sat above motorbike wheels along about 1 km, and commuters near Tan Son Nhat took roughly an hour to move less than 200m.
The short version: Ho Chi Minh City is open and no airport closures have been reported. The streets flood fast when heavy rain meets high tide, and the biggest tide of 2026 is still weeks away. Rain and tide figures change daily, so check the latest bulletin before you travel (Last updated: 8 Oct 2026)
Ho Chi Minh City Flood Update
Flooded streets in Ho Chi Minh city
By 6 October, authorities had warned of 122 flood points across the city. Other repeat spots include Kha Van Can and National Highway 13. This is a visualized map of flooded areas in Ho Chi Minh city (Reported by Lao Dong Media):
| Street | Ward | Section at risk |
|---|---|---|
| Binh Quoi | Binh Quoi Ward | From Alley 352 to house no. 390 |
| Tran Xuan Soan | Tan Thuan Ward | From no. 02 to Street 14A |
| Tran Xuan Soan | Tan Thuan Ward | From no. 251 to no. 317 |
| Huynh Tan Phat | Phu Thuan Ward | Phu Thuan area, up to no. 925 |
| Nguyen Binh | Nha Be Ward | Area from Muong Chuoi Bridge to Pham Thi Quy |
| Nguyen Binh | Nha Be Ward | From no. 214 to no. 191 |
| National Highway 50 | Binh Hung Ward | From no. B17/13 to no. B17/29 |
| National Highway 50 | Binh Hung Ward | From Binh Loc sluice gate to Nguyen Van Linh |
Ho Chi Minh city weather forecast
| Period | Forecast rain | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 6 Oct 13:00 to 8 Oct 13:00 | 70-140 mm, locally over 150 mm | Thu Duc 80-140 mm. Heaviest from afternoon into night |
| 8 Oct 13:00 to 9 Oct 13:00 | 40-80 mm, locally over 100 mm | Heavy rain continues |
| Through about 10 Oct | Showers and thunderstorms | Squalls, lightning and hail possible |
Temperatures stay warm, around 24-34 C. Most rain falls late in the day, so mornings are your best window to move around.
Moving Around Ho Chi Minh City During the Flood
Getting from SGN to your hotel during floods
Pham Van Dong, Nguyen Thai Son and Phan Van Tri back up fast when the rain hits. Use these rules:
- Check the forecast before you land: Afternoon and evening are the riskiest hours.
- Double your usual transfer estimate if rain is falling when you arrive.
- Book a car with a driver who knows the flooded routes, or use Grab and expect a longer wait.
- Skip the evening rush if you can. Plan your landing and your first night around it.
- Keep your hotel informed of your arrival time so check-in is ready.
Rain changes the ride market fast, a normal GrabCar fare to the city centre is 150,000-250,000 VND, but if you book Grab between 11PM and 5AM, it would have extra fees that can take up to 25%-30% original prices.
The solution is Fast Track Vietnam’s private car transfer service, this can be booked in advance at a fixed price. It is set at the airport and no extra charges are added for rain, traffic or a late flight. Your driver tracks your flight, so a weather delay does not cost you a second booking.
What to pack for Vietnam in monsoon season
The checklist is for rain, not for a storm. These items cost little and save a lot of trouble.
- Light rain jacket or poncho: An umbrella is useless in wind and on a motorbike taxi.
- Quick-dry clothes and sandals: Jeans stay wet for a day. Choose shoes you can wade in.
- Waterproof bag cover or dry bag: Protects your passport, phone and charger.
- Zip bags for documents: Keep your passport, visa letter and booking confirmations dry.
- Offline map and a local SIM or eSIM: Download the map of Ho Chi Minh City before you fly.
- Insect repellent: Continuous rain can bring mosquitoes, which can cause irritation and health problems
- Basic medicine. Rehydration salts, stomach tablets, plasters, any prescription drugs.
- Spare dry set of clothes in your carry-on. If your checked bag is wet or delayed, you still have something dry.
Last but not least, always check for the latest weather warning before deciding to go anywhere.
Why Are There Floods in Ho Chi Minh City?
Saigon floods for two reasons at once. First, rain falls on a city with weak drainage, and the tide stops that water leaving through the rivers and canals. The second reason is that peak water levels were forecast to keep rising for five days from 6 October.
The main event comes later. Forecasters expect the highest tide of 2026 on 27-29 October. The numbers put alarm level 3 at about 1.60 m on both stations.
What is the city doing for flood control?
- 2026 flood plan: nine projects worth about 7.15 trillion VND, targeting Phan Van Hon, Binh Quoi and the Highway 51 to Huynh Thuc Khang area.
- Daily maintenance: dredging drains and canals, adding tide valves and running pumping stations.
- Phan Huy Ich: the city traffic and infrastructure center linked the flooding to dredged material left in the Tham Luong – Ben Cat – Nuoc Len canal, which narrowed the waterway. The developer has committed to clearing it.
- Emergency orders: 24-hour duty crews, mobile pumps at flood points, and a ban on vehicles entering deeply flooded areas.
When is Flood Season in Vietnam?
On the central coast, the wet season runs September to December. Storm season more broadly runs June to December, peaking August to November.
| Month | Flood risk, central Vietnam |
|---|---|
| September | Low to moderate |
| October | High |
| November | Very high |
| December | Moderate to low |
| January | Low |
Read more: Typhoon Season in Vietnam (Jun-Dec): How Storms Actually Hit DAD, CXR and PQC Arrivals
Is It Safe to Travel to Vietnam During Floods?
For most trips, yes. Match your route to the table below.
| Region | Right now | Verdict |
|---|---|---|
| Hanoi and the north | Dry and sunny, cool mornings, Hanoi highs of 29-31 C | Go |
| Ho Chi Minh City | Afternoon rain, tide near alarm level 3 on 9 Oct | Go, with buffers |
| Hue and Da Nang | Risk level 2, heaviest rain on 7-8 Oct | Adjust, wait until the rain eases |
| Central Highlands and south | Afternoon thunderstorms, locally heavy | Go, with rain plans |
Travel Advices for Tourists
Tan Son Nhat International Airport (SGN) handled over 39 million passengers in 2024. The terminal is rarely the problem on a flood day, but the roads around it are. Therefore, avoid staying too near to the airport.
To stay safe on flooded streets in Vietnam, remember to:
- Not ride or drive through deep water. Engines stall and you cannot see potholes or open drains.
- Not wade through water near electrical poles or cables.
- Wait it out. Most street floods drop within hours once the rain stops and the tide turns.
- Follow local signs and barriers. The city has ordered vehicles kept out of deeply flooded areas.
| MARK YOUR CALENDAR 27-29 October is the highest tide of 2026. Even a normal afternoon shower can flood streets when the tide is that high. Expect the same pattern on later spring-tide days in November. Check the daily bulletin. |
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Ho Chi Minh City safe to visit during floods?
Yes for most travelers. Floods are short, local and tied to heavy rain and high tide. Plan extra transfer time, avoid flooded streets, and check the forecast each morning.
Will flights into Tan Son Nhat Airport be cancelled?
We found no reports of closures at Tan Son Nhat as of 8 October 2026. Delays are possible during heavy downpours. Check your airline app before leaving for the airport.
When is the worst tide in Ho Chi Minh City?
Forecasters expect the highest tide of 2026 on 27-29 October, with the Thu Dau Mot station forecast at 1.82-1.87 m and Phu An at 1.70-1.75 m, both above alarm level 3.
Which months flood most in Vietnam?
On the central coast, October is rated high risk and November very high. Storm season runs June to December, peaking August to November.
Does travel insurance cover floods in Vietnam?
Policies differ. Check the weather and natural disaster clause, and whether it covers events already forecast when you buy. We cannot advise on specific policies.
Plan Your Trip Easily & Safely
The rain will ease. The tide will rise again at the end of the month. In between, the hardest part of a flood-week arrival is the first hour: a wet terminal, slow traffic and a crowded immigration hall after a long flight.
Getting to Vietnam is the easy part. Clearing immigration after a long flight is where trips can start to unravel, and Fast Track Vietnam can take care of the airport side with our SGN fast track service. An agent meets you before immigration and guides you through the priority lane. Typical immigration time with the service is under 30 minutes, against 1-2 hours in regular lanes.
Arrival Ho Chi Minh City
Fast Track Immigration Lane
No Dedicated Agent with Standard Package
USD $35