Traffic paralyzed by floods, flights to Hue still operating

Poor weather, but flights remain active at Phu Bai International Airport

Road transport halted; many routes suspended

On the morning of October 30, most bus routes from the Southern Bus Station in Hue to southern provinces were suspended due to severe flooding and a sharp drop in passenger numbers. Only three short-distance trips between Hue and Da Nang were still operating, but with very few passengers. Many short distance inter-provincial busses such as Hue - Da Nang, Quy Nhon, and Khanh Hoa had to postpone or cancel services.

Mr. Dang Van Thanh, Director of the Southern Bus Station in Hue, said: “Since the beginning of the week, the number of passengers has dropped by more than 80% due to floods. Some transport companies have temporarily stopped operations because they can’t cover fuel and labor costs. We’re working with local authorities to ensure vehicles to get parked safely and to promptly notify passengers when services resume once the weather improves.”

The Northern Bus Station in Hue has also completely shut down due to lack of passengers. National Highway 1, running through the Hue - Quang Tri section, is heavily flooded, making it impassable. Many areas, especially in Huong Tra, Phong Dien, and Phong Thai wards, remain submerged and isolated.

Traffic police and road maintenance crews are on duty 24/7 to direct vehicles away from flooded zones. Authorities have mobilized pumps, excavators, and other equipment to clear water and restore routes as soon as possible.

Many inter-provincial buses remain idle at Hue’s Southern Bus Station due to flooding

Air travel continues, with minor adjustments

In contrast to road transport, Phu Bai International Airport continues to operate relatively smoothly. From October 27 to 30, the airport handled around 80 flights between Hue - Hanoi and Hue - Ho Chi Minh City. However, two flight pairs were cancelled and two others diverted due to bad weather.

Mr. Do Anh Dao, Deputy Director of Phu Bai International Airport, shared: “We have strengthened weather monitoring and air traffic control, coordinating closely with airlines to ensure absolute safety. Although a few flights were adjusted, overall operations remain stable, and no passengers have been stranded overnight.”

Currently, Phu Bai International Airport mainly handles domestic routes with an average frequency of 20 - 25 flights per day. The new Terminal T2, operational since June 2023, has increased capacity to 5 million passengers per year, meeting rising travel demand during peak seasons.

Passengers on North - South trains must stop at Dong Ha Station (Quang Tri) and transfer by bus to Huong Thuy Station (Hue)

In addition, rail transport through Hue has been seriously affected by landslides and flooding in multiple areas. Vietnam Railways has temporarily suspended numerous train pairs passing through central Vietnam to ensure safety. Trains SE1/SE2 and SE3/SE4, departing from Hanoi and Ho Chi Minh City, have stopped operating through the Hue - Da Nang section. Some trains were halted at Dong Ha (Quang Tri) and Huong Thuy (Hue) stations for passenger transfers.

According to the Hue Railway Transport Branch, several track sections are deeply flooded, such as from Km 682+550 to Km 683+650. Thousands of passengers have been affected, most of whom were transferred by bus. Passengers who purchased train tickets during this period are allowed to exchange or refund tickets free of charge within 30 days.

Railway safety remains a top priority. Relevant agencies are closely monitoring water levels, inspecting roadbeds and drainage systems, and repairing damage as new flooded sections emerge. If weather conditions improve, train services may resume in the coming days.

The North - South Railway through Hue stretches over 110 km, with 10 stations and dozens of bridges and tunnels. Its disruption not only affects passenger travel but also delays freight transport between northern and southern regions.