The Perils of Vehicle Ownership in Ho Chi Minh City: Flooding and Water Damage

Photo by Chiến Nguyễn

Over the past few weeks, Ho Chi Minh City has been experiencing heavy rainfall and high tides, resulting in deep flooding on many roads.

On the evening of October 20, a prolonged downpour turned the streets of the city into a virtual ocean, with the Thao Dien area in Thu Duc City becoming particularly paralyzed as all lanes were deeply flooded. Heavy rain also occurred on the evening of October 21 in some areas, impacting traffic and vehicles.

Cars ‘Turn Back’ to Minimize Damage

On the morning of October 21, Tri Thức – Znews observed that car repair shops and garages along Thu Duc City were busy with vehicles coming in for inspection and repair.

Most of the cars brought in that morning were sedans from various segments. The sedans affected by the previous night’s rain mostly suffered from engine shutdown due to water ingress. Some other cars experienced dropped underbody panels due to driving into potholes during high water levels. As a result, the cost of engine inspection and panel reassembly was relatively inexpensive, ranging from 300,000 to 500,000 VND depending on the vehicle’s condition.

Despite the heavy rain, the number of cars encountering problems was lower than in previous years. Photo by Vân Trang

Mr. Bao Anh, the owner of D9CW garage in Thu Duc City, shared that his shop had not received any severely water-damaged cars requiring extensive repairs. “Drivers are also more cautious and choose alternative routes, so water-damaged cars are rare these days,” added Mr. Bao Anh.

The reduced number of affected vehicles during this “flood season” can be attributed to drivers’ familiarity with flood-prone areas. As soon as heavy rain hits, the number of cars venturing into deeply flooded areas like Thao Dien or District 7 decreases significantly compared to regular days. The few cars that encounter water ingress and engine shutdown are promptly towed to repair facilities.

Previously, the owner of this repair shop had shared about the potentially “astronomical” costs of repairing water-damaged cars. For regular cars, the expense of fixing and replacing air filters, spark plugs, or engine compartments could range from several dozen million VND. For premium German cars like Porsche, Audi, or Mercedes-Benz, the repair bill could climb to hundreds of millions of VND if the vehicle suffers severe water damage.

In addition to flooded roads, some cars and motorcycles parked in underground or apartment building parking lots have also sustained significant damage. While not as severe as water ingress, vehicles stranded in flooded parking lots may incur costs ranging from several million to several dozen million VND for electrical system checks and interior treatments.

Electric Vehicles Confident, Hybrids Wary

In contrast to gasoline-powered cars, electric vehicles showcase their advantage when navigating flooded roads. This is due to the simpler construction of electric car motors, typically consisting of one or two electric motors and a battery pack. As a result, electric cars are regarded as having superior water resistance compared to vehicles powered by fossil fuels.

Heavy rain in Ho Chi Minh City on October 20. Illustrative image by Phạm Nguyễn.

Although the battery pack is mounted close to the underbody, it is protected by multiple layers and isolated from the rest of the powertrain. Therefore, when traversing flooded roads, electric car owners need not worry about electrical shocks or battery damage.

According to Financial Express, electric vehicles can safely navigate flooded areas if they are equipped with an IP65 or IP67-rated protection system. For instance, VinFast’s electric vehicle lineup boasts an IP67-rated protection system, enabling them to wade through water up to one meter deep for 30 minutes without any safety concerns.

Nonetheless, electric vehicle manufacturers advise against overconfidence in their cars’ water-wading capabilities and discourage driving into deeply flooded roads. While rare, there is still a risk of damage, and the resulting repair costs can be substantial.

Owners of hybrid vehicles, on the other hand, do not share the same level of confidence as electric car drivers when it comes to flooded roads. While hybrids also have batteries mounted near the floor, typically behind the rear seats, they still possess a conventional gasoline engine similar to traditional internal combustion engine cars. Consequently, water is the biggest enemy of hybrid vehicles during floods.

Electric cars are considered to have better water-wading capabilities than gasoline-powered vehicles. Photo by Bối Hạ.

Mr. M.H., a CR-V hybrid owner, shared with Tri Thức – Znews that he spent nearly 30 minutes finding an alternative, flood-free route in the Thao Dien area on the night of October 20. Mr. M.H. expressed his concern about driving through water levels higher than half the wheel height, as it could potentially damage the internal combustion engine or affect the battery.

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