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This paper explores the maximum amount of rainfall in the Central coastal provinces of Vietnam (Quang Binh case study) for return periods of 5 years, 10 years, 20 years, 50 years, and 100 years, which correspond to frequencies of 20%, 10%, 5%, 2%, and 1%, respectively. The results show that at a frequency of 20%, the maximum intensity of rain during a heavy rain spell can range from 636.6 to 696.0 mm, while the maximum one-day amount received was over 300 mm, which can occur many times in 5 years. At a frequency of 1%, the intensity of rain during a heavy rain spell can range from 1,197.9 to 1,268.3 mm, while the maximum one-day amount ranged from 487.4 to 521.9 mm. However, such values are very rare over the course of 100 years. In addition, in terms of annual rainfall, the spatial distribution of heavy rainfall in coastal areas was significantly smaller than that in mountainous areas. The highest one-day and five-day rainfall have the same pattern of spatial distribution as annual rainfall. and aims to analyse the characteristics of rain and heavy rain in the research area, including an analysis of frequency of extreme rainfalls, and of the temporal and spatial distribution characteristics of heavy rainfall. Data and methodology

<p>Purpose: Extreme heat threatens poor urban populations, and particularly those who are economically forced to work in the outdoors and hot environments. Thus, the Vietnamese Red Cross, with technical support from the German Red Cross, is implementing a Forecast-based Financing project to assist vulnerable population groups in urban areas before and during heatwaves. In order to inform this humanitarian project on choosing appropriate early actions, this research investigates empirical evidence on heat vulnerability using data from a “Knowledge Attitudes Practices” (KAP) survey conducted in 2018 among outdoor workers in Hanoi, Vietnam.</p> <p>Methods: We analyze the outcome of the KAP survey, which comprised 1027 respondents classified into four different occupation groups. Key questions comprised respondents’ self-reported economic and health situation, impacts from past heatwaves, as well as on knowledge about measures reducing health impacts from extreme heat. We first use descriptive statistics to assess the basic properties of the surveyed population groups. We then use a principal component analysis to identify properties that best captured the variability of responses and to identify sub-groups.</p> <p>Results: The different occupation groups surveyed (builders, vendors, bikers) showed distinctively different properties, not only in mean age (28 year, 45 years and 43 years respectively), but also in their knowledge about heat-health symptoms and their access to night-time air-conditioning (builders: only 14% compared to 42% for bikers). Air-conditioning access did not correlate with reported income.  Builders knew considerably less about heat risk than other groups, but also reported fewer perceived symptoms. The three most common health symptoms reported were tiredness, sweating and thirst, with 22% of respondents having sought medical advice because of heat-related symptoms. Income reduction during heat events was reported by 48% of respondents. The vast majority of respondents have reported to increase drinking (89%) or to remain in shaded areas (87%). Most respondents (76%) could access and understand weather forecasts and early warnings.</p> <p>Conclusion: Our data and analysis highlight how different occupation groups of outdoor workers in Hanoi vary in their socio-economic properties and their vulnerability to extreme heat. These insights into different groups can be used to direct the implementation of early actions for anticipatory humanitarian assistance before and during heatwaves.</p>

<p>Extreme heat is an increasing climate threat, most pronounced in urban areaswhere poor populations are at particular risk.Weanalyzed heat impacts and vulnerabilities of 1027 outdoorworkerswho participated in a KAP survey in Hanoi, Vietnam in 2018, and the influence of their mitigation actions, their knowledge of heat-risks, and access to early warnings.<br>We grouped respondents by their main income (vendors, builders, shippers, others, multiple jobs, and nonworking) and analyzed their reported heat-health impacts, taking into consideration socioeconomics, knowledge of heat impacts and preventive measures, actions taken, access to air-conditioning, drinking amounts and use of weather forecasts. We applied linear and logistic regression analyses using R.<br>Construction workers were younger and had less knowledge of heat-health impacts, but also reported fewer symptoms. Older females were more likely to report symptoms and visit a doctor. Access to air-conditioning in the bedroom depended on age and house ownership, but did not influence heat impacts as cooling was too expensive. Respondents who knew more heat exhaustion symptomswere more likely to report impacts (p< 0.01) or consult a doctor (p<0.05). Similarly, thosewho checkedweather updateswere more likely to report heat impacts (p< 0.01) and experienced about 0.6 more symptoms (p< 0.01). Even though occupation type did not explain heat illness, builders knewconsiderably less (40%; p<0.05) about heat than other groups butwere twice as likely to consult a doctor than street vendors (p < 0.01). Knowledge of preventive actions and taking these actions both correlated positively with reporting of heat-health symptoms, while drinking water did not reduce these symptoms (p < 0.01). Child carers and homeowners experienced income losses in heatwaves (p < 0.01). The differences support directed actions, such as dissemination of educational materials and weather forecasts for construction workers. The Red Cross assisted all groups with cooling tents, provision of drinks and health advice.</p>