Author: Nam Hong

1. Background of Tân Hóa tourist village Tân Hóa village, located in Minh Hóa district, Quảng Bình province, is often referred to as the 'flood basin' of Central Vietnam, especially after October 2010 when a historic flood with 12 meters of water submerged every rooftop here. Every rainy season, water from the surrounding limestone mountains quickly rushes into the valley, causing floods and prolonged inundation. Every rainy season, water from the surrounding limestone mountains quickly rushes into the valley, causing floods and prolonged inundation. Traditional stilt houses can no longer withstand such extreme floods. Previously, there was a type of floating house, from ancient times Tân Hóa people liked to apply the method of building wooden rafts with banana trees, they lived on them during high flood days. To help local people adapt, in 2014, the Living Fund (formerly the Flood-Resistant House Project) introduced the floating house model, providing a safe and sustainable solution to “live with floods” instead of fleeing. Tan Hoa was deeply flooded in the 2010 flood 2. Texture and materials of this house model What are the characteristics of this model used in the area? Areas with rising floodwaters, submerged floods (ie water rises gradually without flash floods), high water levels (4m or more). What materials are used in the floating house model to ensure the requirements of durability, lightness, and the ability to float safely when the flood rises? Wooden house frame (like a boat…), corrugated iron roof, mixed wood or corrugated iron walls to ensure maximum load reduction to help the house float safely. Wooden floor, attached to a plastic or iron drum underneath (plastic is a better material). Is the lifespan of a plastic drum (when used in sunlight) guaranteed? What other features of the external drum used for floating? Standard plastic drums