On October 22, 2025, Vietnam found itself at the crossroads of technological innovation and natural adversity. As the 16th Vietwater International Exhibition opened its doors in Ho Chi Minh City, drawing experts and industry leaders from across the globe, the nation’s central coast braced for the arrival of Typhoon No. 12—known internationally as Fengshen, or Thần Gió. The convergence of these two events underscored both the country’s vulnerability to climate-driven disasters and its determination to seek sustainable solutions.
The urgency of the moment was impossible to ignore. According to Google Trends data reported on October 22, search terms like “when will the storm hit Da Nang,” “will the storm hit Da Nang,” and “what time will the storm hit Da Nang” surged to the top of Vietnam’s online queries, racking up over 2,000 searches in just 24 hours—a staggering 200% increase over normal levels. The spike began late on October 21 and peaked in the early morning hours, as Typhoon Fengshen edged closer to the country’s central coastline.
As the storm approached, the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting provided a sobering update: at 7 a.m. on October 22, the eye of the typhoon was situated at 17.1°N latitude and 110.7°E longitude, roughly 280 kilometers east-northeast of Da Nang. Winds near the center gusted fiercely, reaching levels 10 to 12 on the local scale—equivalent to sustained speeds of 89 to 102 kilometers per hour, with even stronger gusts. The typhoon was moving west at about 10 kilometers per hour, and meteorologists warned that its path would bring direct impacts to provinces stretching from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai.
The anxiety was palpable in Da Nang, which registered the highest search interest nationwide (level 100), followed by neighboring Quang Nam, Quang Tri, Quang Ngai, and Thua Thien - Hue. The region’s residents, already familiar with the ravages of past storms, were urged by authorities to secure their homes, avoid venturing outdoors during periods of intense wind, and stay glued to the latest weather updates. The forecast called for prolonged heavy rainfall in the days ahead—a warning that weighed heavily on communities still recovering from previous floods.
Against this backdrop, the opening of Vietwater 2025 took on added significance. The exhibition, hosted in Ho Chi Minh City, was not just another industry gathering. It was a clarion call for urgent action and innovation in the face of mounting environmental threats. Nguyễn Văn Phước, Chairman of the Ho Chi Minh City Water and Environment Association, did not mince words in his keynote address. He highlighted how rapid urbanization, saltwater intrusion, water resource depletion, and worsening environmental pollution were converging to pose a direct threat to the nation’s water security.
“We need to move towards a circular economy model and accelerate the application of new technologies to build a sustainable economy that can adapt to climate change,” Phước told attendees, according to Tuổi Trẻ. His remarks resonated with the audience, many of whom had seen firsthand the devastation wrought by storms like Fengshen and the chronic challenges of drought, pollution, and resource scarcity.
Nguyễn Hồng Hiếu, Deputy Director of the Water Resources Management Department at the Ministry of Agriculture and Environment, echoed these sentiments. He praised Vietwater 2025 as more than just a showcase for cutting-edge products and systems. “The event is not only about introducing advanced technologies but also serves as a forum for exchanging knowledge, sharing experiences, and shaping policy directions for Vietnam’s water sector,” Hiếu said, as reported by Tuổi Trẻ. The emphasis on collaboration and learning was unmistakable, and it was clear that the event sought to bridge the gap between theory and practice.
This year’s Vietwater was especially ambitious, running alongside two specialized events: the WETV waste expo, focused on waste recycling and environmental technology, and the Flood Control & Disaster Management Vietnam conference, which addressed the urgent need for disaster preparedness. This trio of events offered a comprehensive look at the interconnected challenges facing Vietnam’s water and environmental sectors—from supply and drainage to waste management, flood risk, and climate adaptation.
Throughout the exhibition halls, visitors encountered a variety of solutions: smart water monitoring systems, solar-powered irrigation pumps for sustainable agriculture, and digital platforms designed to optimize urban water infrastructure. Workshops and seminars tackled pressing topics such as managing water resources amid climate change, leveraging digital technology in water operations, and developing strategies to control flooding and saltwater intrusion in vulnerable coastal cities. These sessions provided a space for frank discussion and the exchange of best practices—a necessity in a country where climate impacts are increasingly severe.
Business leaders, engineers, and investors from Vietnam and abroad took advantage of the B2B Matching program, which facilitated networking and technology transfer opportunities. This collaborative spirit was mirrored in the event’s focus on the next generation: on October 24, Vietwater 2025 planned to host a “Green Water Day” for students and young researchers, alongside a “Water Hackathon” designed to spark creative solutions to the sector’s toughest challenges. These initiatives aimed to nurture fresh talent and encourage innovative thinking—qualities that will be vital in the years ahead.
Yet even as the exhibition celebrated progress and possibility, the reality outside its doors served as a sobering reminder of what is at stake. Typhoon Fengshen’s approach underscored the very risks that Vietwater sought to address. The storm’s slow movement and powerful winds were forecasted to bring days of heavy rain and potential flooding to Da Nang, Quang Nam, Quang Ngai, and Thua Thien - Hue. Local authorities repeatedly urged vigilance, advising residents to proactively reinforce their homes and keep abreast of the latest advisories.
The juxtaposition of Vietwater 2025 and Typhoon Fengshen was not lost on attendees or the public. It was a vivid illustration of why sustainable water management, disaster preparedness, and technological innovation are not abstract goals, but urgent necessities for Vietnam’s future. As the country faces the dual pressures of rapid development and escalating climate risks, the lessons of this week—both in the exhibition halls and in the storm-battered streets—will shape the path forward.
For Vietnam, the message is clear: resilience is not just about weathering the next storm, but about building systems, communities, and economies that can thrive in an uncertain world. The conversations and commitments forged at Vietwater 2025, coupled with the hard-earned wisdom of those living through Typhoon Fengshen, may well determine how the nation navigates the challenges that lie ahead.
