On the morning of June 11, 2025, a tropical depression located east of the Paracel Islands intensified into Typhoon No. 1 of the year, internationally named WUTIP. As of 7:00 AM on June 12, the typhoon was positioned near 17.0 degrees North latitude and 110.4 degrees East longitude, just west of the Paracel Islands, with sustained winds reaching force 8-9 and gusts up to force 11. Moving steadily west-northwest at speeds between 10 and 15 kilometers per hour, WUTIP was forecasted to pose significant challenges to maritime and coastal regions in the days ahead.
Forecasts from the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting indicated that by the morning of June 13, WUTIP would approach the southern coast of Hainan Island, China, intensifying to force 10 winds with gusts up to force 13. The following day, June 14, the typhoon was expected to continue northward, reaching the Leizhou area with winds diminishing slightly to force 9 and gusts of force 11. By June 15, WUTIP was predicted to veer northeast, weakening gradually into a tropical depression over southern mainland China.
The areas at highest risk over the coming 48 hours included the northwest sector of the East Sea, encompassing the Paracel Islands, offshore waters stretching from Quang Tri to Quang Ngai, and the Gulf of Tonkin. Disaster risk levels were set at level 3, signaling a serious threat. Near the storm’s center, sea conditions were perilous, with winds of force 9-10 gusting to force 13, and waves towering between 4 and 6 meters. The Gulf of Tonkin was expected to experience increasing winds from force 6-7 to 8-9 by the night of June 12, accompanied by waves rising 2 to 4 meters, making the sea state very rough.
Heavy rainfall was another pressing concern. Between June 12 and 13, the Central Central region of Vietnam was forecast to receive very heavy rains, with totals generally between 100 and 200 millimeters, and some areas expected to exceed 350 millimeters. Provinces such as Ha Tinh and parts of the Northern Central Highlands were also bracing for moderate to heavy rainfall, with localized spots potentially receiving over 150 millimeters. The National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting issued warnings of flash floods, landslides, and widespread flooding in low-lying areas.
In response to the looming threat, Deputy Prime Minister Tran Hong Ha signed Official Dispatch No. 86/CD-TTg on June 10, directing ministries, sectors, and local authorities to take proactive measures against the tropical depression’s potential intensification into a typhoon and the associated heavy rains and flooding. The dispatch was addressed to key ministries including Defense, Public Security, Agriculture and Environment, Industry and Trade, Construction, Science and Technology, and to the chairpersons of People’s Committees in provinces from Quang Ninh to Gia Lai.
The dispatch highlighted that as of 1:00 PM on June 10, the tropical depression was located approximately 360 kilometers east-southeast of the Paracel Islands, with winds near the center at force 6-7 gusting to force 9, moving slowly west-northwest at about 5 km/h. Forecasts anticipated strengthening into a typhoon by June 11, along with heavy rainfall from Quang Binh to Quang Ngai, with totals between 100 and 300 millimeters and localized areas exceeding 450 millimeters. Northern Central Highlands were expected to see rainfall between 70 and 150 millimeters, with some spots over 200 millimeters and intense localized showers exceeding 200 millimeters within six hours.
To mitigate risks, the Prime Minister’s dispatch instructed local leaders to monitor the situation closely, ensure the safety of vessels and offshore installations, evacuate residents from high-risk zones, safeguard critical infrastructure including dikes, reservoirs, industrial zones, and urban areas, and maintain clear communication channels. Ministries were tasked with monitoring, forecasting, and coordinating disaster response efforts, including ensuring the safety of hydropower reservoirs and industrial production facilities.
The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued guidance urging provinces to maintain vigilance, conduct inspections of vulnerable areas, clear waterways, and prepare for evacuations. They emphasized the importance of protecting agricultural assets, aquaculture farms, and urban centers, while also preparing rescue teams and equipment for emergency response. Communication efforts were intensified to keep the public and tourists informed about weather developments and safety measures.
Meanwhile, the Ministry of Industry and Trade issued an urgent directive on June 9, emphasizing the need to safeguard industrial facilities, particularly hydropower dams and electricity grids, against the impacts of heavy rain and the approaching tropical depression. The directive called for strict adherence to operational protocols for reservoirs, suspension of construction activities in vulnerable areas, and proactive management of supply chains to prevent shortages of essential goods during the storm period.
Director Mai Van Khiem of the National Center for Hydro-Meteorological Forecasting provided further insights, noting that WUTIP would be the first typhoon of 2025 not only in the East Sea but across the broader Northwest Pacific region. He explained that most forecast models predicted the storm’s path would take it through the Paracel Islands before turning north toward Guangdong province in China. However, a less likely scenario involved a westward shift toward Hainan Island and entry into the Gulf of Tonkin. Mr. Khiem cautioned that the typhoon’s early development stage meant forecasts could change, and stressed the immediate risk posed by strong winds to maritime activities in the central and northern East Sea, urging vigilance against sudden squalls and whirlwinds.
In practical terms, the Border Guard Command reported that by 10:00 AM on June 12, over 53,700 vessels with more than 223,000 people had been informed about the storm’s trajectory. Of these, 160 vessels with 752 personnel were operating in the North East Sea, including the Paracel Islands. These vessels were actively maneuvering to avoid the storm’s path. Coastal provinces from Quang Ninh to Khanh Hoa, home to nearly 193,000 hectares of aquaculture farms and over 272,000 cages and rafts, were bracing for potential damage.
Hydrological conditions also demanded attention. Two hydropower reservoirs, Vinh Son 5 and Dray Hlinh 1, commenced emergency discharge operations with a combined outflow exceeding 280 cubic meters per second. Over 4,000 irrigation reservoirs in the Central, South Central, and Central Highlands regions held water volumes ranging from 27 to 85 percent of capacity, with many under urgent construction.
The storm’s impact extended to transportation. Vietnam Airlines adjusted flight schedules on June 11 and 12 due to heavy rains in the Central region caused by WUTIP. Fourteen flights between Hanoi and Da Nang were canceled on the evening of June 11 and early morning of June 12. Two flights had to divert to Cam Ranh or return to Hanoi due to unsafe conditions at Da Nang airport. Delays cascaded, affecting dozens of other flights, while Phu Bai Airport in Hue also experienced disruptions. The airline planned to increase flight frequencies and deploy wide-body aircraft on affected routes to accommodate passengers.
Onshore, the Quang Binh Provincial Border Guard Command confirmed that nearly all fishing vessels—6,316 out of 6,331—with 18,455 workers had safely anchored by mid-morning on June 12. Only 15 vessels with 115 workers remained at sea, but all had received storm warnings and were coordinating safe navigation. Land border units mobilized teams to inspect landslide-prone areas, disseminate warnings, and prepare for possible evacuations.
Overall, the coordinated efforts of multiple ministries, local governments, and agencies reflected a high level of preparedness for WUTIP’s challenges. While the typhoon was not expected to make landfall in Vietnam, its associated heavy rains and strong winds posed significant risks, especially to maritime operations and flood-prone regions. Officials urged residents and businesses to remain alert, heed warnings, and prioritize safety in the face of this early-season storm.