What the record shows for Vietnam
Over the last 20 years, USGS has catalogued 45 earthquakes of magnitude 4 or greater within 389 km of Vietnam - roughly 2 a year. That rate describes how often the ground moves enough to be recorded, not how often damage occurs; most of these are never felt.
The NOAA NCEI database records 3 tsunamis within 389 km of Vietnam between 1899 and 2017. The most significant was in 2017 near Quang Nam, which killed around 1 people.
2 volcanoes are catalogued near Vietnam, including Toroeng Prong, Ly Son Group. Volcanic systems generate their own earthquake swarms, which is why activity here can look different from a purely tectonic region.
Sources: USGS earthquake catalog, NOAA tsunami database, and the Smithsonian Global Volcanism Program. Figures update as the catalogs are revised.
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Vietnam experiences moderate seismic activity along faults in its northwest and offshore regions.
The only real protection is a warning the moment the ground moves - which is exactly what the free QuakeMate app gives you, along with tsunami and volcano alerts for Vietnam.
Earthquake risk in Vietnam - FAQ
Is Vietnam at risk of earthquakes?
Yes. On average about 2 quakes a year nearby of magnitude 4+ within 389 km, based on the last 20 years of USGS data.
What was the biggest earthquake in Vietnam?
We don't have a standout large earthquake on record close to Vietnam in the modern catalog, though smaller quakes can still occur.
Does Vietnam get tsunamis?
Yes - 3 tsunamis since 1899 (most recently 2017) within 389 km, from the NOAA database. The deadliest killed around 1 people.
How do I get earthquake warnings in Vietnam?
Download the free QuakeMate app for iPhone. It watches your location and sends a real-time push the instant a quake strikes nearby, plus tsunami and volcano alerts, with custom magnitude and distance rules. On Android, join the waitlist.