Nuclear Impact Analysis · Vietnam

Is Ho Chi Minh City safe from a nuclear strike?

We modelled the most plausible strategic targets around Ho Chi Minh City and simulated blast, thermal, radiation and fallout effects against its 9,200,000 metro residents.

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MINIMAL RISK

Ho Chi Minh City city centre sits 741.3 km from Bangkok, the most plausible strategic target in the area (low targeting confidence). Modelled strike: 150 kt airburst.

Estimated survival chance at city centre: 99% · Estimated metro fatalities: 257.6K, injuries: 310.2K

Run the interactive simulation for Ho Chi Minh City →

What a strike on Bangkok would mean

A 150 kt detonation produces a fireball 490 m across in radius. Reinforced concrete fails out to 1.8 km (20 psi). Most residential buildings collapse within 3.7 km (5 psi), and windows shatter dangerously out to 8.2 km (1 psi). Anyone in line of sight within 5.2 km suffers third-degree burns from the thermal pulse.

An airburst maximises blast damage but produces minimal local fallout, so for Ho Chi Minh City the dominant risks are blast and thermal effects rather than radiation.

Most plausible targets near Ho Chi Minh City

TargetTypeDistanceAssumed yieldConfidence
Bangkokcity741 km150 ktlow
Sanya naval base (SSBN)military878 km455 kthigh
Singapore Changiairport1091 km150 ktmedium
Port of Singaporeport1107 km300 kthigh
Hanoigovernment1138 km150 ktlow

Key blast radii (150 kt airburst)

EffectRadiusWhat happens
Fireball490 mComplete vaporisation
20 psi blast1.8 kmHardened structures destroyed, ~100% fatalities
5 psi blast3.7 kmMost buildings collapse, widespread fatalities
3rd-degree burns5.2 kmFull-thickness burns to exposed skin
500 rem radiation2.1 kmLethal dose without medical care
1 psi blast8.2 kmWindow breakage, light damage, glass injuries

How Ho Chi Minh City can prepare

With a population density of 4,600 people/km², Ho Chi Minh City's outcome would hinge on the first hour. The guidance is identical everywhere: get inside, stay inside, stay tuned. A basement or the core of a large concrete building cuts fallout exposure by a factor of 10 or more, and radiation decays fast — dose rates fall ~90% within the first 7 hours and ~99% within two days.

Check your exact address in Ho Chi Minh City →
Model disclaimer: These are research-grade estimates from open scaling laws (Glasstone & Dolan, 1977), not predictions. Actual outcomes depend on burst height, weapon choice, weather, terrain and sheltering. In any real emergency follow official civil-defence guidance.

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