Residents along Vietnam’s northern coastline are bracing for the aftermath of a tropical depression that swept into the Gulf of Tonkin, unleashing fierce winds and torrential rains across both land and sea. According to reports published on August 18, 2025, by Vietnamese news outlets, the weather system moved into the Northern Vietnam region earlier this week and is expected to continue its impact through August 20, with some areas seeing rainfall totals in excess of 300 millimeters.
The tropical depression, which meteorologists tracked as it entered the Gulf of Tonkin, has brought wind gusts on the sea reaching level 9—a force that can uproot trees and cause significant damage to structures. On land, the storm’s persistent rains have already begun to raise alarms about potential flooding and landslides, especially in the northeastern provinces and Thanh Hoa. The Vietnamese Meteorological Service warned that from August 18 to August 20, “the tropical depression is expected to cause heavy rain in the northeastern region and Thanh Hoa, with rainfall exceeding 300 mm in some places,” as reported by local media.
By the early morning hours of August 19, the system’s center was positioned over the coastal area between Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, with sustained wind forces at level 6 and gusts peaking at level 8, according to Bao Khanh Hoa. The storm’s influence was felt widely, impacting not only the mainland but also the Northern Vietnam Gulf and its special administrative zones, including Bach Long Vi, Cat Hai, Co To, and Van Don. These areas, often hubs for fishing and maritime activity, faced some of the harshest conditions, with the sea whipped into a frenzy by winds reaching level 6-7, gusting up to level 9, and waves soaring between 2 and 3.5 meters high.
The consequences for those at sea have been particularly severe. Fishing boats operating in these dangerous waters were warned of the risks from “storms, tornadoes, strong winds, and large waves,” as outlined in weather bulletins cited by Bao Khanh Hoa. Mariners were urged to seek safe harbor, and authorities issued repeated advisories for vessels to avoid the most hazardous zones, especially as the sea state remained volatile and unpredictable.
In addition to the immediate coastal impact, the weather system’s reach extended southward. The past 24 hours leading up to 4:00 PM on August 18 saw the sea area off Khanh Hoa province and the Truong Sa (Spratly Islands) special zone battered by winds of level 4-5. Forecasts for the night of August 18 and the following day anticipated a further escalation, with winds strengthening to level 5, occasionally reaching level 6, and gusts up to level 7. The same regions braced for heavy rain and the threat of tornadoes, adding to the challenge faced by local authorities and communities.
“The offshore sea area of Khanh Hoa and the Truong Sa special zone is expected to have heavy rain on the night of August 18 and during August 19, 2025, with risks of tornadoes and strong gusts,” reported the Bao Khanh Hoa weather bulletin. The prospect of such severe conditions has prompted a flurry of preparations, with emergency services on alert and disaster response teams coordinating efforts to minimize damage and safeguard lives.
For many living in the affected areas, these warnings are all too familiar. Vietnam’s northern and central regions are frequently in the path of tropical storms and depressions during the monsoon season, and the country’s intricate network of rivers and low-lying deltas makes it particularly vulnerable to flooding. Past events have shown how quickly heavy rain can overwhelm drainage systems, submerge roads, and inundate homes, especially in rural and mountainous districts.
Local governments have moved swiftly to implement flood prevention measures, reinforcing embankments, clearing drainage channels, and preparing evacuation plans for communities at highest risk. In some villages, loudspeakers have been used to broadcast storm updates and instructions, while volunteers help distribute sandbags and emergency supplies. Schools in the most exposed districts have suspended classes, and farmers have rushed to secure crops and livestock.
Meanwhile, the broader maritime community has been on high alert. The Gulf of Tonkin and adjacent waters are critical routes for fishing fleets and cargo vessels, and any disruption can have ripple effects on local economies. According to official advisories, “fishing boats operating in these dangerous areas faced risks from storms, tornadoes, strong winds, and large waves.” The warnings have led to a temporary suspension of many fishing operations, with harbors crowded as boats seek shelter from the storm’s fury.
As the weather system continued its path, meteorologists projected that by 4:00 AM on August 19, the tropical depression would be centered over the coastal area between Quang Ninh and Hai Phong, before gradually weakening. By 4:00 PM the same day, the depression was expected to move inland over Guangxi, China, losing much of its strength but still carrying the potential for localized heavy rain and gusty winds along its track.
Despite the storm’s gradual dissipation, authorities have cautioned that the danger is not yet past. The combination of saturated ground, swollen rivers, and ongoing rainfall means that landslides and flash floods remain a real concern, particularly in hilly and mountainous regions. Emergency responders have been positioned in strategic locations, ready to assist with rescues or evacuations should the need arise.
In the southern coastal provinces, such as Khanh Hoa, the forecast for the night of August 18 and August 19 included not only strong winds but also the possibility of tornadoes—a rare but dangerous phenomenon for the region. “In the past 24 hours before 4:00 PM on August 18, 2025, the sea area of Khanh Hoa province and the Truong Sa special zone had winds of level 4-5,” noted the latest updates. Local fishermen, many of whom depend on daily catches for their livelihoods, have been forced to weigh the risks of venturing out against the need to support their families.
As the community waits for the weather to clear, the focus remains on safety and preparedness. The storm’s arrival has underscored the importance of early warning systems and coordinated response efforts—a lesson that resonates each year as Vietnam faces the annual challenge of typhoons and tropical depressions. With the worst of the weather expected to pass by August 20, all eyes are now on the skies and rivers, hoping that the damage will be limited and recovery swift.
For now, Vietnam’s northern and central coasts are holding their breath, watching as the tropical depression moves on, and preparing for whatever comes next.
