Magnitude-5 earthquake strikes northern Vietnam

Nguyen Xuan Anh, director of the Vietnam Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center under the Institute of Earth Sciences, told Tuoi Tre (Youth) newspaper that the earthquake occurred at 11:17 am at a depth of some 10 kilometers.

Many residents in Dien Bien and even Lao Cai Province felt the tremors from the earthquake.

The Vietnam Earthquake Information and Tsunami Warning Center continues to monitor this seismic activity.

Thanh, a resident in Dien Bien Province, said she was inside her house when it shook strongly.

“The house was shaking violently, I was afraid it would collapse. Luckily, the quake only lasted about three to four seconds,” she said.

“Our family was having lunch when the tableware started rattling, and everyone dropped their bowls and ran outside,” said Quang Thi Loan, a resident in Muong Cha District.

About 200 kilometers from the epicenter, Thuy in Lao Cai Province also reported feeling the tremors.

“I was lying down and looking at my phone when I felt the bed shaking lightly for a few seconds," she recalled.

At the epicenter area, Bui Van Kieu, vice-chairman of the People's Committee of Muong Cha Town of the namesake district, said he had never felt such strong shaking before.

“There was very strong shaking for about 20-30 seconds," Kieu said.

Dien Bien Province is located in the northwest region of Vietnam, where two major seismic fault lines, namely Dien Bien - Lai Chau and Ma River - Son La, intersect, making the area prone to frequent earthquakes.

According to historical records, three significant earthquakes with magnitudes ranging from 5.3 to 6.9 have occurred in Dien Bien. 

These include a magnitude-6.9 earthquake in 1935 in the Dien Bien basin, a magnitude-6.7 quake in 1983 in Tuan Giao Town, and a magnitude-5.3 earthquake in 2001 in Dien Bien Phu City.

The magnitude-5.3 earthquake in 2001 caused an estimated VND210 billion (US$8 million) in damages, destroying many structures.

In 2019, a magnitude-4.3 quake was recorded in Muong Ang District. 

In March 2022, a magnitude-4.5 earthquake also occurred in Dien Bien Dong District, Dien Bien Province.

In Vietnam, earthquakes with magnitudes from 5 to 5.9 are classified as moderate.

These quakes can cause moderate to severe damage to poorly designed structures, minimal to no damage to well-constructed buildings, and may result in casualties depending on the specific conditions.

Globally, there are 1,000 to 1,500 earthquakes each year.