Record heavy rains and flooding in central Vietnam this week have killed 35 people, disaster management officials said Sunday, with five more still missing in the deluge.

Heavy rain has pummelled Vietnam's coastal provinces since last weekend, with a record of up to 1.7 metres (5 feet 6 inches) falling over 24 hours spanning last Sunday and Monday.

The 35 fatalities took place in Hue, Da Nang, Lam Dong and Quang Tri provinces, the Vietnam Disaster and Dyke Management Authority (VDDMA) said in a report.

Hoi An's ancient town that is a UNESCO world heritage site has been inundated with waist-deep water, with residents navigating the city by wooden boats after a major local river overflowed at a 60-year high.

"Everyone is in shock after the flood. People were preparing for the flood, but

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