On July 19, 2025, tragedy struck Ha Long Bay when the tourist boat Vinh Xanh 58, carrying 49 people including 46 tourists and 3 crew members, capsized amid a sudden and severe storm. The incident has since become a race against time as rescue teams scramble to find survivors and recover victims before the looming arrival of Typhoon Wipha (Typhoon No. 3), which threatens to worsen conditions in the region.
The capsizing occurred around 2:05 PM when the boat encountered strong winds and was overturned abruptly, losing contact shortly thereafter. Initial rescue efforts have been massive and coordinated, involving nearly 1,000 personnel and over 100 vessels, including specialized diving equipment, all mobilized to scour the waters of Ha Long Bay for survivors and victims.
By the morning of July 20, 45 individuals had been located: 10 survived the ordeal, while 35 were found deceased. Authorities identified 31 of the deceased victims by that time. The search continued tirelessly for the remaining four missing persons, with the highest priority placed on their recovery before the typhoon's arrival.
Quang Ninh Provincial Military Command, Provincial Police, Naval Region 1, Coast Guard Region 1, the Ha Long Bay Management Board, and professional diving teams have been working in unison. Nearly 350 people and around 50 vessels, including speedboats and rescue boats, were deployed specifically for this search operation. Colonel Tran Van Phuc, Director of Quang Ninh Provincial Police, emphasized the urgency of the mission, instructing forces to maximize manpower and coordinate closely to accelerate the search efforts before the typhoon makes landfall.
"We must seize every hour before Typhoon Wipha arrives to intensify our search and rescue operations," Colonel Phuc stated. Local coastal police units have been tasked with mobilizing fishermen familiar with the bay’s complex waterways to extend the search area effectively.
Despite worsening weather conditions, with sea waves reaching level 4-5 by noon on July 20, the teams maintained 28 search points and expanded their search radius from the accident site. However, by the morning of July 21, heavy rain, strong winds, and waves at level 5-6 forced a temporary suspension of the search operations. Authorities remain on standby to resume as soon as weather permits.
Tragically, at around 9:30 AM on July 21, rescuers recovered the body of a young boy near Ti Top Island, one of the missing victims. The boy’s body was promptly transported to Bai Chay Hospital for necessary procedures. This discovery leaves three victims still unaccounted for in the waters of Ha Long Bay.
In light of the approaching typhoon, the Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development issued an urgent call on the morning of July 21 to eight coastal provinces—including Hung Yen, Ninh Binh, Thanh Hoa, Nghe An, Ha Tinh, Quang Tri, Da Nang, and Quang Ngai—to ensure all vessels in the Gulf of Tonkin seek safe harbor. Reports indicated that as of 6:30 AM that day, 425 vessels with 1,560 people were still active in the gulf, including the Paracel Islands. Provincial authorities were instructed to mobilize all available resources to guide or compel these vessels to safety, with strict accountability measures in place.
Simultaneously, the General Staff of the Vietnam People’s Army directed border guards along the coast from Quang Ninh to Ha Tinh to continue monitoring and informing vessels to avoid dangerous zones, enforcing a strict ban on people remaining on boats, rafts, or aquaculture structures during the typhoon's landfall.
The Ministry of Public Security’s Steering Committee for Climate Change Response, Disaster Prevention, Search and Rescue, and Civil Defense also issued directives to intensify preparations and responses to Typhoon No. 3 and the subsequent floods. The Civil Aviation Authority of Vietnam acted swiftly to implement safety measures at airports and minimize disruption to flight operations amid the storm.
Meanwhile, the Quang Ninh provincial government has been proactive in providing support to the victims’ families. Financial assistance includes 25 million VND per deceased individual and 5 million VND per injured person. The province also offered transportation and accommodation support for families traveling to Quang Ninh. As of the morning of July 20, 30 deceased victims had been handed over to their families for burial, with authorities ensuring dignified and respectful handling of the remains.
In addition to the search and rescue efforts, authorities are conducting thorough examinations and investigations into the incident. The Provincial Police are working closely with technical units to assess the condition of the vessel and determine contributing factors. While natural causes such as severe weather and whirlwinds are evident, investigative teams are also exploring any subjective factors that may have played a role, with a commitment to strict legal accountability if violations are found.
Colonel Tran Van Phuc highlighted the importance of preserving the scene and personal belongings of victims to aid identification and support families. He also stressed the necessity of coordinated communication among all involved forces to optimize the “golden hour” for rescue operations.
Despite the ongoing tragedy, the response from local authorities and rescue teams reflects a determined and coordinated effort to bring closure to the families affected and to enhance safety protocols for waterway tourism in the future. The incident has also sparked calls for increased warnings and safety measures at ports and inland waterways to prevent similar disasters.
As Typhoon Wipha approaches, the focus now shifts to safeguarding lives and property along the coast. Authorities continue to urge all vessels to seek shelter and for residents to heed warnings seriously. The coming days will be critical, not only for the weather but for the final stages of the search and rescue mission in Ha Long Bay.
