Severe landslides force indefinite closure of Bach Ma mountain tourism in central Vietnam

Tourism access to Bach Ma National Park has been suspended indefinitely following widespread landslides triggered by historic rainfall in October 2025. The mountainous park experienced more than 1,700 mm of rainfall over 23 consecutive days, the highest ever recorded in Vietnam, leading to deep-seated slope failures along the sole access road linking National Route 1 to the summit. Prolonged saturation reduced effective stress within weathered residual soils and colluvium, promoting progressive shear failure along natural discontinuities and road embankments.

The most critical failure occurred at Km 12, where more than 100 m of roadway, uphill cut slope, and downhill stone embankment collapsed, with estimated landslide depths of 30–50 m. Additional failures at Km 9+500 involved embankment erosion and subgrade void formation beneath the pavement, indicating internal erosion and piping under sustained groundwater flow. These failures fully severed vehicular access, disrupted medium-voltage power supply to summit facilities, and compromised forest protection patrol routes essential for park management.

Beyond the summit road, landslides have also affected patrol routes running parallel to the La Son–Tuy Loan Expressway, with more than 10 slope failures reported at stream crossings. The geological setting comprised by steep terrain, deeply weathered soils, and intense orographic rainfall contributes the area to be highly susceptible to rainfall-induced instability.

In the short term, authorities have opened a narrow pedestrian bypass to allow ranger access and are considering pulley-based logistics systems to supply isolated stations. Long-term remediation options under assessment include bridging across the failed slope, deep embankment reconstruction, drainage control, and slope reinforcement to restore stability. Tourism will remain suspended until comprehensive geotechnical solutions are implemented and verified.