One month on, landslide-hit Hue–Da Nang expressway remains in chaos

One month after a major rainstorm caused devastating landslides, the La Son–Tuy Loan Expressway - linking Hue and Da Nang - remains chaotic. Repair crews are working at full capacity to clear debris and stabilize the route.

The late-October storm caused widespread damage to the La Son–Tuy Loan section, particularly between La Son and Hoa Lien. Landslides severely affected multiple areas along the road, raising serious traffic safety concerns.

According to the Ho Chi Minh Road Project Management Board, continuous heavy rainfall from October 26 to 30 triggered landslides at 21 sites along the mountainside slopes (taluy duong), dumping a total of approximately 146,000 cubic meters of earth and rock onto the road.

As observed by VietNamNet on December 1, a full month later, the expressway still remains in a heavily disrupted state.

The project’s investors and contractors have responded swiftly by clearing the debris and establishing temporary traffic routes. However, the risk of further landslides looms large.

At multiple points along the highway, concrete slope panels have broken apart and slipped down precariously.

Between Km41 and Km43, in Hai Van ward (Da Nang City), at least four major landslide sites were recorded. At these locations, concrete-reinforced slopes have collapsed, leaving large sections of soil and debris scattered across the road. In some spots, wet red clay and mud have slid down from the slopes, reaching the road shoulder and creating dangerous conditions for vehicles.

According to the project management board, a long-term solution is being planned: excavating the unstable roadbed and replacing it with a viaduct. The proposed bridge would consist of four Super-T spans, totaling approximately 176 meters in length and 22 meters in width, to ensure long-term safety and durability.

To mitigate risk during ongoing construction, the investors have installed temporary concrete barriers, safety ropes, and road signs to alert drivers and guide them to reduce speed and avoid dangerous areas.

The La Son–Tuy Loan Expressway is part of Vietnam’s eastern North–South expressway project. This particular segment is 77.5 km long and includes two main stretches: La Son–Hoa Lien (66 km, connecting Hue and Da Nang) and Hoa Lien–Tuy Loan.

More than 11 km of the route cuts through Bach Ma National Park, an area flanked by steep mountainous terrain, making it highly susceptible to landslides during heavy rains.

While clearing landslide debris, contractors are simultaneously working on expanding the La Son–Hoa Lien section from two to four lanes. However, the landslide aftermath has created major challenges for the construction progress.