Over a week since the storm made landfall, nearly every car repair garage in Quang Ninh province is operating beyond capacity due to the influx of vehicles needing repairs.

In Ha Long City on September 16, all auto garages saw long lines of cars waiting for service, with some owners having queued for more than four days.

At HT2 Auto Garage in Hong Ha ward of Ha Long City, a well-known repair shop, there has been a constant lineup of cars waiting for service in recent days.

"I live in an apartment complex and moved my car out of the basement before the storm to avoid flooding. Despite parking it cautiously, falling debris still shattered my windshield. The garage told me it would be three days before they could start on repairs," shared Mr. H.Q.V (37, residing in Tran Hung Dao ward, Ha Long City).

Mr. Bui Hoang Hiep, owner of Hoang Hiep Tire Garage in Bai Chay, Ha Long City, said that in his 30 years in the roadside assistance business, he has never seen such a surge in tire repair and replacement requests. The roof of his garage was damaged during the storm, but he hasn’t been able to fix it because he and his son are busy handling customer requests.

"Currently, we’re repairing or replacing around 200 tires daily, with some cars having up to five punctures. The issue stems from debris scattered on the roads by strong winds, which puncture passing vehicles' tires," explained Mr. Hiep.

In Nam Dinh, following heavy rains and flooding, car repair shops are also experiencing overwhelming demand. Located on Giai Phong Road (Nam Dinh city), Hoang Tung Auto Interior Workshop run by Ms. Tran Thi Thu Quynh is currently filled with vehicles awaiting repairs and cleaning.

"In just five days, the workshop processed over 50 flood-damaged vehicles. The spike in demand forced us to have all 20 staff members work overtime, focusing solely on water-damaged cars," said Quynh.

Because floodwater often seeps into vehicles' electrical systems, cars can experience immediate failure or delayed damage due to oxidation. This requires prompt attention from repair teams.

"Depending on the extent of flooding, repairs can vary. Lightly flooded cars need their interiors and floors removed, dried, disinfected, and deodorized. This process takes about 2-3 days, with costs starting at 1.5 million VND, depending on the car's condition," Quynh explained.

To support vehicle owners impacted by the storm, Hoang Tung Auto is offering a 50% discount on flood-damage repairs, while service vehicles receive a 70% discount. Drivers in difficult circumstances are offered the service free of charge.

Similarly, An Nam Auto Care Center on Song Hao Road (Nam Dinh city) is working at full capacity. Ms. Bui Thi Phuong, a staff member, reported that within a few days, the center had received over 20 cars for flood damage repairs, forcing the entire team to work overtime.

After the repairs, cars are thoroughly washed before being returned to their owners.

Pham Cong - Trong Tung