The photographs documenting the Great Flood are preserved at the National Archives Center III. More than 50 years have passed, yet many still recall and discuss it whenever the rainy season arrives.
The flood of 1971 (also known as the Great Flood of 1971) was an extensive flood that occurred in the provinces of the Red River Delta and Thai Binh River in mid-August 1971. The photo shows Long Bien Bridge (Hanoi) during the flooding days.
This was the largest flood in Northern Vietnam in over 250 years. Photo of flooding at Lai Vu Bridge area (Hai Duong).
In 1971, 13 northern provinces experienced significant dike breaches. On August 19, floodwaters broke through dikes along the Lo River, Da River, and the left bank of the Red River in Vinh Tuong District, as well as the Thanh Tri dike on the right bank of the Red River. By August 20, the Lam Thao dike failed; on the 21st, the Vinh Lai and Cao Xa dikes also broke. Many other dike sections were compromised, causing widespread flooding in the Northern Delta. Photo of flooding during the rainy days in Lam Thao, Thanh Ba (Phu Tho).
Flood scene in Van Co area (Hung Yen).
Floodwaters along the Thuong River.
Flooded area in Viet Yen (Bac Giang).
Day Phung Dam (Hanoi) during the flood days.
Vietnam Tri Industrial Park submerged in water.
Duong Bridge during the flood days.
Flooding in Dap Cau, Thi Cau (Bac Ninh).
Residents in Gia Lam, Hai Duong, Hung Yen overcoming difficulties due to flood-induced dike erosion.
Floodwaters swept away homes in Hoai Duc, Ha Tay, forcing residents to build temporary shelters on the dike.
Flood in Hai Duong town.
The railway and National Highway 1 section from Yen Vien to Bac Ninh submerged in water.
The flood resulted in approximately 100,000 fatalities, affecting around 2.7 million others, with estimated damages reaching 70 million dong at the time (1971) – equivalent to tens of trillions of dong today. Over 120,000 structures related to homes and warehouses were inundated and swept away. Photo of officials from the Ministry of Water Resources discussing how to repair the breached dike.
