Urgent Need to Address Landslide Risks on Key Gateway Mountain Passes
Despite large-scale investment, the issue of landslide prevention on key gateway mountain passes to Da Lat—such as Prenn, Mimosa, and Ta Nung—remains unresolved. With the rainy season approaching, this has become an urgent task to ensure uninterrupted traffic flow.
Still at Risk of Landslides
Prenn Pass serves as a vital entry point for commerce and tourism into the urban and administrative hub of Lam Dong Province. To alleviate traffic congestion, a project to upgrade and widen the mountain pass from two lanes to four was initiated in early 2023, with a total investment exceeding VND 550 billion.
Following the construction period, the nearly 8-kilometer stretch was officially finished and opened for use by the end of September 2024, bringing great happiness to local residents and travelers.
However, that happiness has not been entirely fulfilled, as apprehensions about landslides have surfaced. In fact, due to the steep mountainous landscape and complicated geological factors, Prenn Pass has faced slope collapses, erosion of embankments, and falling rocks following just the last two rainy seasons.
A recent field investigation by reporters indicates that along the route, there are still at least three areas with a significant risk of landslides involving soil, rocks, and trees falling from the uphill slopes during the rainy season.
For instance, at Km225+700 (approximately 500 meters from the Datanla Waterfall Tourist Area), even though authorities have removed pine trees and leveled the soil above for temporary remediation, the risks of instability persist. Additionally, some parts of the lighting system have been damaged but have yet to be repaired.
This situation underscores a contradiction evident on numerous mountain passes today: while road surfaces and infrastructure have experienced enhancements and expansions, efforts to prevent landslides—particularly on sloped areas—continue to be significantly lacking. This vulnerability puts one of the most picturesque access routes to Da Lat at risk for road users during prolonged heavy rain.
In addition to Prenn Pass, sections of both Mimosa Pass along National Highway 27C and Ta Nung Pass have been affected by landslides since the start of the 2025 rainy season and still have not been fully cleared. Fallen trees remain on the slopes, while multiple areas—including both uphill and downhill embankments—continue to pose risks of soil and rock falling onto the road.
With the rainy season approaching, conducting proactive and responsible inspections across key mountain passes, coupled with timely, comprehensive solutions, is essential for protecting infrastructure and—more importantly—safeguarding lives, thereby contributing to sustainable local development.
Racing to reinforce infrastructure before the rainy season
When landslides happen, they not only pose a direct risk to those on the roads but also significantly disrupt the transport of goods, impede tourism, and impact the daily lives of local residents. Historically, some management agencies have opted for temporary fixes that do not tackle the underlying issues. As a result, it has become crucial to invest in thorough and sustainable technical solutions.
To effectively address this problem, the provincial construction sector has suggested strategies and formulated plans to eliminate areas particularly prone to landslides before the onset of the rainy season. In particular, officials have proposed the allocation of approximately VND 50 billion from the state budget for the “Prenn Pass Landslide Mitigation Project”(section through Xuan Huong Ward, Da Lat City). This Group C initiative is anticipated to be carried out between 2026 and 2027, with the goal of reinforcing and stabilizing slopes.
Simultaneously, a number of urgent projects aimed at landslide mitigation along National Highways 20, 27, 27C, and 28 are progressing, with total funding ranging from VND 2.5 billion to VND 70 billion. The Department of Construction reported that various construction crews have been assigned to different sites to enhance progress and finish crucial segments before June 30, 2026.
During a recent meeting addressing challenges, provincial leaders issued stringent instructions. For maintenance and repair initiatives, the responsible entities must ensure each segment is completed adequately to safeguard both people and vehicles. Additionally, funds allocated by the central government for disaster recovery need to be disbursed quickly, appropriately, and in line with regulations to restore these routes to their safest possible state as soon as feasible.