3.9 magnitude earthquake occurs near Vietnam - Laos border

On the morning of November 17, the Institute of Earth Sciences (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) announced a magnitude 3.9 earthquake in Laos, about 2.5km from the Vietnam border.

Specifically, the earthquake occurred in Houaphan province, Laos (about 2.5km from the Vietnam border in Na Meo commune, Thanh Hoa province) at 00:02:24 on November 17, 2025 ( Hanoi time); coordinates 20.374 degrees North latitude - 104.600 degrees East longitude; focal depth of about 16km; natural disaster risk level 0.

Previously, at 23:26:19, a 4.8 magnitude earthquake occurred near this area, with a focal depth of 10km, and a level 1 natural disaster risk. The earthquake caused many Vietnamese people in several provinces to feel the shaking clearly. Right in the capital Hanoi, many people expressed their concern when their houses, furniture, and belongings were clearly shaken.

Houaphan Province (Laos) borders Thanh Hoa (Vietnam) and is located on the Ma River fault zone, stretching from Dien Bien , Lai Chau down to Quan Son (Thanh Hoa) and into Laos. This area often experiences small earthquakes due to the activity of the fault zone.

According to scientists , earthquakes of magnitude 4-5 are minor earthquakes but can still cause shaking, especially in high-rise buildings. These earthquakes usually cause no damage or only minor damage.

Source: https://baotintuc.vn/xa-hoi/xuat-hien-dong-dat-do-lon-39-sat-bien-gioi-viet-nam-lao-20251117074239078.htm