A catastrophic landslide tore through Mimosa Pass in Lam Dong Province late on November 19, causing a 70-meter-long stretch of National Highway 20 to collapse, plunging 40 meters deep. A passenger bus narrowly avoided falling into the pit.

Around 11:00 PM, heavy rains triggered the landslide at Km226+700 of Highway 20, in Xuan Huong Ward, Da Lat City. The entire roadbed and surface gave way, cutting off traffic in both directions.

At the time of the collapse, a passenger bus from a local transport company was driving through the area. Its front wheels slipped over the edge, leaving the vehicle hanging precariously over the abyss. Luckily, only the driver was on board, and he managed to escape unharmed.

By dawn on November 20, Lam Dong’s Department of Construction had teamed up with local authorities and agencies to reroute traffic and ensure public safety. The damaged area was sealed off, and a crane was dispatched overnight to pull the bus from the edge of the crater.

Lam Dong issues disaster emergency as multiple roads collapse

hiện trường đèo Mimosa sạt sâu 40m, suýt cuốn xe khách xuống hố.....jpg
Scene of the Mimosa Pass landslide at Km226+700, National Highway 20. Photo: Huu Tri

hiện trường đèo Mimosa sạt sâu 40m, suýt cuốn xe khách xuống hố,.jpg

Rescue teams use a crane to pull the bus from the dangerous spot. Photo: Resident

hiện trường đèo Mimosa sạt sâu 40m, suýt cuốn xe khách xuống hố...jpg
Authorities cordon off the landslide area for safety. Photo: Resident

To protect lives and property, the Department of Construction issued a directive to reroute traffic along Highway 20. From 6:00 AM on November 20, all traffic was barred from Km226+500 to Km226+800. Vehicles were redirected to alternative routes.

For those traveling from Duc Trong District to Da Lat, two detours were offered:

Route 1: From Lien Khuong roundabout (Km203+400) on Highway 20, drivers are redirected to Highway 27 (Km174+000), continuing to Km164+100 (Cuarung junction), then to Road DT.725 (Km31+000) to reach Da Lat.

Route 2: Vehicles (excluding trucks over 3.5 tons) may use the Lien Khuong–Prenn expressway and turn onto Sacom Tuyen Lam road to access Da Lat.

From Dinh Van Lam to Da Lat and vice versa, travelers are to follow Highway 27 to Km164+100 and turn onto DT.725.

For traffic from Don Duong and Hiep Thanh, the route runs through Phi Nom junction to Highway 27, then DT.725.

These detours will remain in effect until repairs are complete and safety is restored on Highway 20.

In recent days, numerous access roads to Da Lat have suffered landslides or subsidence, including the Prenn Pass near Datanla Falls, the suspension bridge at D’ran Pass, Ngoan Muc Pass (Highway 27), and Khanh Le Pass (Highway 27C), further complicating travel.

Lam Dong chairman orders emergency measures on site

On the morning of November 20, Lam Dong Province Chairman Ho Van Muoi arrived at the Mimosa Pass site for a firsthand assessment. He directed local units to immediately deploy emergency actions to safeguard public safety and prevent further loss of property and life.

He also ordered regular updates on weather and disaster conditions, including monitoring structural movement and surface cracks, with prompt reporting to the Provincial People's Committee and the Civil Defense Command.

Later that day, the province officially declared a natural disaster emergency covering two highway sections: Km226+600–Km226+800 of Mimosa Pass and Km249+932–Km249+968 of Highway 20, where major landslides have occurred.

Quang Hung