Ba Vi commune, located over 70 km from Hanoi's center, is the city's most remote and largest commune (over 80 km2) following administrative restructuring. Much of the commune lies within the buffer and core zones of Ba Vi National Park, playing a vital role in protecting the headwater forest ecosystem, regulating the climate, and preserving water resources for the former Ba Vi district and western Hanoi.

However, these natural conditions, combined with local housing and living habits, create safety risks during the rainy season.

Some houses in Mit Dong Song hamlet, Ba Vi commune, are located very close to the landslide area. Photo: Van Loc

Some houses in Mit Dong Song hamlet, Ba Vi commune, are located very close to the landslide area. Photo: Van Loc

Nguyen Van Quyet, whose house sits on a hillside near Trac Tuong slope in Suu Quan hamlet, recounted witnessing landslides during heavy rains for over 30 years, most severely during Typhoon Yagi in 2018 and 2024. On several occasions, earth and debris have cascaded down, impacting his house and filling his yard.

Concerned for their safety, Quyet's family of 6 evacuates during storms. "We hope the authorities will help reinforce the hillside or provide us with safer housing," he said.

Also residing in Suu Quan hamlet, Nguyen An Hai explained that his family owns over 500 m2 of residential land situated at the base of a landslide-prone hill. To mitigate the risk, they hired workers to excavate and level the hill behind their house. However, the hill overlaps with the national park, limiting their ability to modify it significantly.

Sitting with her grandchild on the porch of her two-story house in Mit Dong Song hamlet, Dinh Thi Yen shared that her house, built in 2023, suffered damage to its outbuildings when a section of the hill behind it collapsed during the 2024 rainy season. "Now, whenever the wind picks up, I drop everything and rush home to take my grandchild to safety. Losing the house would be bearable, but I just want to keep my family safe," Yen said.

Dinh Thi Yen (Mit Dong Song hamlet) says her family often has to send their children and grandchildren to stay elsewhere during storms. Photo: Van Loc

Dinh Thi Yen (Mit Dong Song hamlet) says her family often has to send their children and grandchildren to stay elsewhere during storms. Photo: Van Loc

According to Dinh Van Luu, head of Suu Quan hamlet, there are 6 high-risk landslide areas directly affecting 17 households. Many of these houses, built decades ago with proper documentation, now fall within protected forest or forestry land, creating difficulties in renovation, relocation, or land-use conversion.

Some urgent landslide prevention projects have been initiated in Suu Quan hamlet. Notably, a key project worth 35 billion VND, started in 2/2024, is now 80% complete. The hamlet hopes the commune authorities will expedite and supervise the remaining work and address all potential landslide areas.

Dozens of spots at risk of landslides into people's homes in Ba Vi commune, Hanoi. Video: Van Loc

Addressing residents' concerns, Nguyen Giap Dong, chairman of the Ba Vi Commune People's Committee, stated that the authorities have identified over 40 locations across the commune at risk of landslides and flooding. During the recent rains caused by Typhoon Wipha, the commune evacuated residents and deployed emergency response teams.

In the long term, the commune hopes the city and relevant departments will explore solutions to reduce the load on at-risk hillsides to ensure residents' safety.

Vo Hai