Fears of fuel shortage surge in Vietnam's Da Lat as landslide-damaged mountain roads disrupt supply

Residents lined up at gas stations from early evening, with some carrying plastic containers to stock up on gasoline despite official statements saying the area faces no interruption in fuel deliveries.

Nguyen Long Bien, who waited in line for fuel, said he needed a reserve for his family’s farm equipment.

“People say fuel trucks cannot enter Da Lat if the Ta Nung Pass is closed, so I came to buy extra,” he said.

The rush followed an earlier directive from the provincial Department of Construction, which temporarily restricted trucks over 3.5 metric tons from traveling through Ta Nung Pass, the only mountain road currently still open to freight vehicles after several major passes leading to Da Lat suffered landslides or structural damage this week.

Since Wednesday night, Da Lat has been partially isolated after the Mimosa Pass, a key section of National Highway 20, was completely severed by landslides.

Other major routes, including the Prenn, D’Ran, and Khanh Le Passes, have also been closed due to slope failures, while the Sacom Pass remains off-limits to heavy trucks because of dam-safety concerns.

In a report sent to authorities, state-run fuel distributor Petrolimex Lam Dong warned that the restriction could prevent tanker trucks from reaching Da Lat, leaving many stations with only one to three days of inventory.

Hours later, the Department of Construction issued a replacement notice, lifting the truck ban and instead recommending that heavier vehicles limit travel during heavy rain or overnight hours to ensure safety. 

Drivers were asked to stay alert for landslides and road damage.

Petrolimex Lam Dong simultaneously announced that fuel supply to Da Lat would remain normal, adding that tanker trucks were already en route to replenish local stations.

Despite the clarification, crowds continued to gather at several locations, causing temporary overload at some fuel outlets.