Typhoon Bualoi, the tenth typhoon to strike Vietnam in 2025, made a devastating landfall in north-central Vietnam on Monday, September 29, 2025, leaving a trail of destruction and loss in its wake. By Tuesday, the government confirmed that the death toll had climbed to 19, with 21 people still missing as heavy rains and flooding battered Hanoi and provinces across the north, according to Reuters and state-run media reports.
The ferocity of Bualoi was felt immediately as it barrelled into the Vietnamese coastline, packing winds of up to 82 miles per hour and whipping up waves as high as 16 feet. The Vietnam News Agency (VNA) reported that the typhoon made landfall in Ha Tinh province, scouring central coastal areas and forcing authorities into emergency response mode. Torrential rain—over 300 millimeters, or roughly 11 inches, fell in some regions within 24 hours—triggered widespread flooding, flash floods, and landslides, leading to catastrophic conditions for millions.
In the coastal city of Da Nang, more than 210,000 people were evacuated from vulnerable areas, while the city of Hue to the north moved over 32,000 people to higher ground, as reported by The Associated Press. The Civil Aviation Authority suspended operations at four coastal airports, including Danang International Airport, as the storm approached. Fishermen were ordered to remain in port, but despite warnings, two boats sank off Quang Tri province, prompting urgent search and rescue efforts for missing crew members.
The human toll was immediate and harrowing. In Quy Nhat Commune in Ninh Binh province, at least four people died and three were injured as homes collapsed under the wind and water. Tornadoes, spawned by the typhoon’s powerful circulation, ripped out electricity poles, destroyed homes, and killed one person in Hai Anh Commune. In the city of Hue, a woman was swept away by floodwaters and killed, while four others were reported missing. State media reported that as of Tuesday, 88 people had been injured and more than 100,000 houses were damaged, primarily in Nghe An and Ha Tinh provinces.
As the storm continued its rampage, the capital city of Hanoi was not spared. Streets turned into rivers as persistent downpours, thunder, and lightning paralyzed traffic and left residents stranded. "It doesn't rain, it pours," said 49-year-old Hanoi resident Hoang Quoc Uy, quoted by Reuters. "Water is flowing into my living room... I've never seen anything like this before." For many, the flooding was unprecedented; in several villages in Nghe An province, floodwaters rose to the roof level of houses, leaving entire communities isolated without power or access to roads. "This is my house, the roof above had been blown away by the typhoon wind and it is now half a metre deep in flood water," said 56-year-old Ngo Thi Loan, also speaking to Reuters. "All of my belongings have been damaged, all gone."
Authorities warned that weakened dikes, battered by the relentless waters, could collapse at any moment, threatening further inundation of already flooded areas. The Vietnam weather agency sounded the alarm, stating, "It is capable of triggering multiple natural disasters simultaneously, including powerful winds, heavy rainfall, flooding, flash floods, landslides, and coastal inundation." The risk of landslides and sudden flash floods remained high, particularly in mountainous and low-lying regions.
Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh issued an urgent call for action, instructing ministries and local governments to mobilize all available resources to tackle the devastation. Rescue teams were dispatched across the affected provinces to clear debris, restore essential services, and move families to safety. The government’s response was swift, but the scale of the disaster posed immense challenges. More than 10,000 hectares of rice and crops were inundated, raising concerns about food security and livelihoods for thousands of farming families.
Vietnam’s vulnerability to typhoons is well documented, owing to its long coastline facing the South China Sea. The country is no stranger to such storms, but the frequency and intensity have increased in recent years. In September 2024, Typhoon Yagi killed nearly 300 people in Vietnam, a grim reminder of the region’s perennial struggle with extreme weather. Last week, before slamming into Vietnam, Typhoon Bualoi had battered the Philippines, killing at least 10 people, according to authorities there.
The destructive power of Bualoi was evident not only in the number of lives lost but also in the scale of infrastructure damage. More than 100,000 homes were damaged or destroyed, and countless families were left homeless. Floodwaters inundated over 10,000 hectares of rice and crops, threatening the upcoming harvest and the livelihoods of rural communities. In Nghe An province, footage broadcast by state television showed villages submerged up to their rooftops, with no way in or out except by boat or makeshift rafts.
As the storm moved westward, it continued to dump heavy rain on Vietnam through Tuesday, with forecasts predicting the system would cross into landlocked Laos. The aftermath was expected to linger, with authorities warning of continued risk from flash floods, landslides, and the potential collapse of weakened dikes. The relentless downpours also raised the specter of waterborne diseases and long-term health concerns for displaced populations.
The government’s response included mobilizing military and civilian rescue teams, distributing emergency supplies, and setting up temporary shelters for those displaced. Efforts to restore electricity and clean water were underway, but in many areas, access remained difficult due to flooded roads and destroyed infrastructure. The spirit of resilience was palpable, but the challenges ahead were daunting.
Vietnam’s experience with Typhoon Bualoi underscores the growing threat posed by increasingly severe and frequent tropical storms in Southeast Asia. For many residents, the storm was a stark reminder of nature’s unpredictability and the urgent need for robust disaster preparedness and response systems. As one resident put it, "I've never seen anything like this before," a sentiment echoed by many across the affected regions.
As the waters slowly recede and the scale of the damage becomes clear, Vietnam faces the long process of recovery and rebuilding. The storm’s legacy will be measured not just in the tragic loss of life and property, but also in the resilience of communities and the lessons learned for the future.