Why wasn't Aeon Mall Hue flooded? The secret lies in its Japanese design.

The secret: 70 years of data, the foundation is 1.15 m higher than the road surface.

During the days when Hue was experiencing its historic floods, aerial views of Aeon Mall Hue sparked curiosity and lively discussions on social media, wondering what calculations this Japanese-designed structure was based on to create a safe "oasis" right in the middle of the flood zone.

At this time, while many major roads in Hue have turned into vast rivers, cutting off residential areas, Aeon Mall Hue remains "steadfast" amidst the floodwaters and has not been submerged.

Aeon Mall Hue looks like an oasis in the middle of a flood from an aerial perspective.

PHOTO: NGUYEN TA PHONG

This striking difference quickly answered netizens' questions about the building's flood resistance. Many commented: "The Japanese shopping mall was unaffected by the historic flood; the design is truly brilliant."

In an interview with Thanh Nien newspaper , Mr. Imai Takeshi, General Manager of Aeon Mall Hue, revealed the secret behind this unique design. According to Mr. Imai Takeshi, before starting construction of the project in Hue City, Aeon Mall Vietnam Co., Ltd. researched and calculated the building's height based on flood survey data from Hue City over the past 70 years.

Thanks to historical data and meticulous calculations, this shopping center was constructed with the ground floor level 1.15 meters higher than the street level. This superior ground level, combined with flood prevention measures for the entire basement and building, ensures that the structure remains completely unaffected during heavy rain or flooding.

This is clear evidence of the foresight and professionalism of Japanese investors, who have transformed the unique flood challenges of Central Vietnam into a sustainable architectural advantage.

"Shelter" of compassion in the heart of the flood.

Not only did Aeon Mall Hue overcome the technical challenges of the natural disaster, but it also demonstrated its role as a "community center" throughout the severe storm and flood days.

When thousands of households faced the risk of their property being swept away by floodwaters, this shopping center quickly opened its doors to provide assistance.

This center served as a phone charging station, a shelter, and a food supply point for people during the recent historic floods.

PHOTO: BINH THIEN

Accordingly, a policy of providing free parking spaces to avoid flooding was implemented as soon as the water level of the Perfume River reached alarm level 2 or higher. During this time, Aeon Mail assisted an average of about 300 cars and 600 motorbikes per day for residents to park to avoid flooding. All vehicles were safely arranged in the basement and ground-level parking areas.

Throughout the period of flooding, the Aeon Hue supermarket on the first floor remained open to serve the public from 8 AM to 10 PM every day. This ensured a sufficient supply of food, groceries, and essential necessities, helping people maintain their daily lives while traditional markets and small shops were submerged.

In addition, the shopping mall also provides free charging areas and free resting benches, creating favorable conditions for customers to shop and live comfortably during difficult weather conditions.

The effective flood-resistant design model of Aeon Mall, with its ground floor level 1.15m higher than the street level thanks to 70 years of flood data research, has led many to question its potential for widespread application throughout Hue City. Responding to a reporter from Thanh Nien newspaper on this issue, Mr. Hoang Hai Minh, Vice Chairman of the People's Committee of Hue City, affirmed that the application of this specific planning model must be considered carefully, flexibly, selectively, and in accordance with the unique characteristics of a heritage city.

According to the plan, new urban areas must use the elevation of the heritage city as a benchmark. Raising the elevation in new areas without strict control could lead to the risk of turning the heritage area into a low-lying region, seriously affecting flood drainage capacity. Even the An Van Duong urban area is planned with a controlled elevation of +2.5 m (lower than the general elevation) to ensure flood drainage for neighboring basins and protect the heritage area.

The adjustment of the ground level for the Aeon Mall project is deemed appropriate, provided that traffic points comply with the planned ground level and do not affect the overall drainage system of the river branches in the area.

The leaders of the Hue City People's Committee affirmed that all planning and construction activities must comply with the urban development orientation associated with heritage preservation, ensuring drainage safety and disaster prevention. Learning from successful projects like Aeon Mall is necessary, but it must be applied flexibly, selectively, and in accordance with the city's topography and overall planning.

The secret: 70 years of data, the foundation is 1.15 m higher than the road surface.

"Shelter" of compassion in the heart of the flood.

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