Record floods from typhoon Yagi devastate Hanoi's peach blossom hub

Flooding caused by Typhoon Yagi has devastated a large portion of Hanoi's famous Nhat Tan Peach Blossom Village, submerging tens of thousands of peach trees. Located along the Red River in Tay Ho District, the village remains desolate one week after the powerful storm, the strongest to hit Vietnam in three decades.

The peach trees, traditionally cultivated for sale ahead of the Lunar New Year in four months, now lie under 3 to 4 meters of floodwater. Farmers are concerned, as even the taller trees, though partially above water, have waterlogged roots, making recovery unlikely.

Despite the occasional survival of a few trees, much of the village's peach orchards, known for their diverse varieties, remain underwater. Nhat Tan has a rich tradition of peach cultivation, which has expanded significantly since the late 1990s. Today, more than 800 households depend on this craft, with Nhat Tan peach blossoms even earning a 4-star OCOP (One Commune, One Product) rating for their quality and contribution to local development.

Even ancient trees on raised beds were not spared from the flood, with water reaching their branches. The region experienced its worst flooding in two decades, with the Red River peaking at 11.3 meters, leading to widespread evacuations and leaving thousands reliant on emergency aid.

Kumquat growers in the region also faced devastation, as rising floodwaters submerged most of their crops. Only a few trees survived by being planted on higher ground or moved in time.

In total, Hanoi reported 11,678 hectares of submerged and damaged crops, the highest among northern regions hit by Typhoon Yagi, which made landfall on September 7. The storm, with winds over 200 kph, left a death toll of 292 across the country, with 38 people still missing.