Hanoi (VNA) – Vietnam Railways Corporation (VNR) on November 21 announced continued suspension of multiple passenger services departing from Hanoi, Da Nang and Ho Chi Minh City, as widespread flooding in the south-central region persists.
According to the corporation, trains SE6/SE5 and SE8/SE7 running between HCM City and Hanoi, along with SE22/SE21 operating between HCM City and Da Nang, have been cancelled on November 21. Rail services had already been heavily disrupted in recent days as prolonged downpours inundated many sections of the North–South route.
VNR said infrastructure workers remain on duty around the clock at vulnerable locations to monitor water levels, inspect track conditions and handle incidents to ensure absolute safety before any services are restored. The sector stays updated on weather developments and flood risks to adjust operational plans, and advises passengers to follow official notices before travelling.
Prolonged heavy rainfall, especially along the Nha Trang–Quy Nhon section, has paralysed rail operations for days, causing significant economic losses and affecting thousands of travellers.
Since November 17, 25 passenger trains have been cancelled due to flooding, landslides and unsafe track conditions. The disruptions left more than 2,000 passengers stranded at stations along the route. VNR has provided free support for the affected passengers, with 5,200 main meals, 4,200 snacks and drinking water on halted trains.
In addition, 11,000 tickets have been refunded for passengers on cancelled or rescheduled services, with total refund costs amounting to about 7.5 billion VND (284,500 USD). Six freight trains were fully cancelled and 27 others were forced to halt en route, resulting in freight-related losses estimated at 1.6 billion VND.
Preliminary calculations put total damage from this flooding event at nearly 10 billion VND, including passenger service support costs and losses from freight cancellations./.
