The earthquake struck the area near Xam Nua, Houaphan, at a depth of about 10km below the surface, with its epicenter roughly 5 km from the Vietnam–Laos border near Na Meo commune of Thanh Hoa province, Vietnam.

According to the Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Institute of Geophysics (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology), the epicenter was recorded in the area about 150 km from Hanoi.

The quake was classified as Level 1 on Vietnam’s five-level disaster risk scale — the lowest level. Authorities are continuing to monitor for possible aftershocks.

Shortly after the quake, residents in Hanoi and neighboring provinces such as Phu Tho, Son La, Ninh Binh, and Nghe An reported feeling light tremors lasting a few seconds.

In Hanoi, people in both downtown and suburban wards felt the tremor, especially those living in high-rise apartments in Thanh Xuan, Cau Giay, Dong Da, Ha Dong, Hai Ba Trung, and My Dinh.

“As I was about to sleep, the whole apartment suddenly shook. A picture frame hit the wall loudly, it was the first time I’ve ever felt something like that,” said Phuong Hang, a resident living in Thanh Xuan ward.

Thao Anh, who lives on the 11th floor of a building in Cau Giay, recalled, “The bed started shaking for 3–5 seconds. I ran out to the living room, and my sister felt it too. Soon after, all my friends in Dong Da, My Dinh, and Ha Dong were messaging, asking about the incident.”

Another local resident, Nguyen Hai in Dong Da ward, working on the 20th floor, shared, “The water in my cup rippled slightly. I thought it was the wind, but I realized it was an earthquake. Fortunately, it only lasted around five seconds.”

Meanwhile, Trang Do in the outlying commune of Chuong My felt “two short tremors, each lasting a few seconds. The lights and cabinet swayed like a hammock. Everyone panicked and ran outside.”

Residents in Ha Noi’s Xuan Mai and Quoc Oai communes, as well as nearby provinces such as Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ninh Binh, Son La, and Phu Tho, also noticed mild ground movement and shaking household objects.

Experts said that because the epicenter was close to the Vietnam–Laos border, seismic waves could travel through the inland area, allowing people in northern Vietnam, especially in tall buildings, to feel light tremors, though no damage was reported.

About a week ago, a 3.6-magnitude earthquake hit Binh Thuan commune of Son La province, Northern Vietnam, at a depth of around 10 km.

The Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Centre says it continues to monitor regional seismic activity and advises residents to remain calm and follow official updates from the authorities.

Minor earthquakes strike Son La and Hue, no damage reported

VOV.VN - The Earthquake and Tsunami Warning Centre under the Institute of Earth Sciences (Vietnam Academy of Science and Technology) has reported two earthquakes in northern Son La Province and central Hue City, with magnitudes ranging from 3.6 to 4.0.