On December 6, 2025, as the afternoon sun dipped behind thickening clouds, Vietnam’s National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting delivered a sobering update: a tropical depression had formed east of central Philippines, its center fixed at 11.8 degrees North latitude and 125.9 degrees East longitude. With wind speeds reaching level 6, gusting up to level 8, and moving westward at 5-10 km/h, the system was drawing the attention—and concern—of meteorologists and disaster response officials alike (according to the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting, as reported by Thời tiết và biến đổi khí hậu and SGGP).
The depression, though not yet a full-fledged storm, was already making its presence known. From as early as December 3, the coastal areas of Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa provinces had experienced strong winds at level 6, gusts at level 8, and sea waves reaching heights of 2-4 meters, creating rough and hazardous conditions for maritime activities. By 19:00 that evening, the tropical depression was situated over the sea area between Dak Lak and Khanh Hoa, setting the stage for what would become a week of heightened weather vigilance across Vietnam’s central and southern regions.
Forecasts indicated that by December 7, the system would continue its journey, moving west-southwest into central Philippines, before entering the eastern waters of the central East Sea by December 8. The depression was expected to sustain its intensity, maintaining wind speeds of level 6 (roughly 39-49 km/h), gusts of level 8, and wave heights of 2-4 meters—enough to keep the seas churning and local authorities on high alert. The National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting cautioned that, from the morning of December 8, the eastern sea area of the central East Sea would be battered by these strong winds and high waves, with boats in the danger zone facing the risk of whirlwinds, strong gusts, and large swells.
In response to these developments, the National Steering Committee for Disaster Prevention and Control wasted no time. On December 6, the Committee issued urgent official letters to the People’s Committees of provinces and cities stretching from Quang Tri to An Giang, urging them to proactively prepare for the tropical depression’s potential impacts. Their message was clear: strict management of vessels leaving port was paramount, as was the need to organize inspections and keep vessel owners and captains fully informed about the depression’s position, movement, and evolving threat. The goal was to enable ships to avoid, evacuate, or simply not enter the designated danger zones.
The area of particular concern, as outlined by the Committee, spanned from latitudes 10.5 to 13 and east of longitude 118—a swath of ocean that, from the afternoon of December 6 through December 8, would be especially treacherous. The Committee also emphasized the importance of being ready to deploy rescue and relief operations should the need arise. As one official communication put it, “We request readiness of forces and means to carry out rescue and relief operations if necessary.”
For those living along Vietnam’s lengthy coastline, these warnings weren’t just bureaucratic formalities. They were a call to action. From Quang Tri in the north-central region all the way down to An Giang in the Mekong Delta, local authorities began coordinating closely with fishermen, port operators, and residents in low-lying areas. According to Thời tiết và biến đổi khí hậu, the high tide cycle, peaking from December 6, was already raising water levels in the midlands and lowlands near the coast and rivers, with flooding possible for 4-7 hours daily. This was particularly worrisome for communities in flood-prone zones, where even a few hours of inundation could spell disaster for homes, crops, and livelihoods.
Northern Vietnam, meanwhile, was grappling with its own set of challenges. The nights of December 6 and 7 brought cold temperatures and scattered rain, while the south saw localized heavy rain and thunderstorms. The weather forecast for Hanoi was typical of winter: cloudy skies, occasional light rain, early morning fog, and a chill that lingered from dusk till dawn, with temperatures dipping to 18-20°C at their lowest and peaking at 23-25°C during the day.
But it wasn’t just the wind and rain that had officials worried. The risk of flooding in low-lying areas near the Krong Ana and Cam Ly rivers, as well as the threat of flash floods and landslides on slopes in Dak Lak and Lam Dong provinces, was very real. On December 5, the National Center for Hydrometeorological Forecasting had already issued warnings about the potential for natural disasters like flash floods, landslides, and ground subsidence due to heavy rain or rapid water flow. The dangers were compounded by the ongoing high tide, which could exacerbate flooding and make rescue operations more difficult.
Adding to the sense of urgency, weather forecasts predicted moderate to heavy rain from Quang Tri to Da Nang and in the eastern provinces from Quang Ngai to Gia Lai, with some areas at risk of very heavy rainfall and subsequent flooding. For the residents of these regions, the coming days meant keeping a close eye on weather updates, listening for evacuation orders, and, for many, preparing to move livestock and belongings to higher ground.
Amid these preparations, Vietnam’s commitment to international environmental and climate agreements was also put to the test. As Thời tiết và biến đổi khí hậu noted, the country’s proactive disaster response efforts contribute meaningfully to fulfilling its international climate and environmental commitments—a reminder that local actions can have global significance, especially as climate change drives more frequent and severe weather events across Southeast Asia.
Resilience, coordination, and clear communication were the watchwords as authorities braced for the tropical depression’s arrival. While the system had not yet reached typhoon strength, its slow movement and persistent intensity meant that risks would linger for days. The message from meteorologists and disaster officials alike was simple: vigilance saves lives. As one hydrological expert put it, “This is a high tide cycle at high levels. Low-lying areas near the coast, rivers, and outside dikes are likely to be flooded for 4 to 7 hours each day.”
For now, all eyes remain fixed on the skies and the sea. The hope is that, with careful preparation and timely response, communities from Quang Tri to An Giang will weather the storm with minimal harm. But as the clouds gather and the winds rise, Vietnam is once again reminded of the delicate balance between nature’s power and human resilience.
